As the world marks World Radio Day, Kenya joins in celebrating the enduring power of radio as a medium of information, education, and entertainment.
With a rich history dating back to 1928, radio has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s social, political, and cultural landscape.
In an interview with Kenya News Agency, a Historian at Laikipia University, Prof. Chacha Babere, said Kenya holds the distinction of being the first country in tropical Africa to establish a radio service. Initially serving a small European settler population, radio broadcasting gradually expanded its reach to include African audiences.
Prof. Chacha added that during World War II, radio became a crucial tool for disseminating information to families of African soldiers serving abroad.
He noted that in the years leading up to Kenya’s independence, radio played a vital role in mobilising nationalist sentiments and fostering a sense of unity and that after independence, the government recognised the potential of radio as a tool for development and nation-building, using radio broadcasts to educate citizens on various issues, including agriculture, health, and education.
He said that over the years, Kenya’s radio landscape has evolved significantly and that with the liberalisation of the airwaves in the 1990s, numerous private radio stations emerged, offering diverse programming and catering to different linguistic and cultural groups.
Today, radio remains the most accessible and widely consumed medium in Kenya, reaching even the most remote corners of the country, he noted.
Prof. Chacha noted with pride that even his small ethnic group, the Kurias of Kenya, now have a radio station that broadcasts in their language right in the village.
He observed that radio was the most powerful medium due to its portability, affordability, and less demanding nature, unlike TV and newspapers, which demand total attention, while the former could easily be listened to as wananchi perform their chores.
Furthermore, he stated that radio has had a profound impact on Kenyan society in many ways, including propagating government programmes such as Family Planning, education, nutrition, entertainment, and, of course, the ruling party’s propaganda.
On propaganda, he noted that the KANU party excelled; no wonder it’s loved and hated with the same measure. He noted that no politician, chief, or other government officials would dare make the mistake of failing to listen to one o’clock news since major pronouncements were made at that time.
However, he said the most enduring history of radio in Africa is its usage by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party in Tanzania in promulgating unity and Ujamaa ideology that unfortunately led to the country’s slow pace of development.
But he noted with concern that it took the local churches too long to appreciate the power of radio in spreading the gospel, until the 1990s evangelical movement surprised and wowed the country through their powerful FM stations and TV stations.
Prof. Chacha pointed out three radio programmes that have had an enduring history: Bibilia Husema, which used to be broadcast from Kijabe; the School Radio by Elizabeth Omolo; and, of course, Je huu ni Ungwana by the late Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
He urged FM stations to employ trained journalists to save the country from what he termed as impractical and unrealistic talks and jokes that not only embarrass the public but also belittle the media industry in the country.
Finally, he said despite its widespread reach and impact, radio in Kenya faces various challenges, including funding constraints, competition from other media, and the need to adapt to evolving technologies.
However, with its unique strengths and enduring appeal, radio continues to be a vital medium for informing, educating, and entertaining Kenyans, he noted.
On this World Radio Day, Kenyans celebrate the rich history and enduring impact of radio. As the country embraces new technologies and platforms, radio remains a powerful tool for connecting communities, fostering dialogue and shaping the future of the nation for the better.
By Veronica Bosibori and Patience Moraa
