The 1990s generation was well-hyped by the radio takeover of the airwaves accentuated by the number of presenters who commanded a great audience following.
With the advancement of technology in the media industry, radio presenters have since evolved to become household names and celebrities just for hosting shows.
However, this cannot be compared to the 1990s and 2000s when individuals would even walk with radios raised close to their ears just to follow up on their favourite shows.
Among the renowned presenters of the times included; Jimmy Gathu, Waweru Mburu, Robert Mambo Mbotela, Caroline Mutoko and Cess Mutungi.
These presenters cut a niche for themselves in the industry sticking their names as radio greats in the country.
Jimmy Gathu
Gathu is a veteran media personality with experience in both radio and television.
He has had his footprint in almost all of Kenya’s leading media houses including KBC, Citizen TV, K24, NTV, and Capital FM.
While at KBC he was the host of Café Culture (breakfast show) between 1998 and 2002.
At the same time, he also served at Capital FM as a Host and Programs Controller for hits not homework show.
Famed for the curation of Classic 105’s Maina and Kingang’i characters, it would be his stint at Nation FMs show Morning Drive that would gain him fame.
Gathu currently hosts the Spice FM evening show at Standard Group every Saturday afternoon, from 2 pm to 7 pm.
He is also a professional actor that has been featured in programs such as Kina, and Nairobi Half Life.
Waweru Mburu
The late Waweru Mburu was the popular Presenter of the program Yaliyotendeka, which was aired on Citizen radio.
The 15-minute show ran on weekdays at 8 pm, with repeats the following morning at 6.45 am.
He was also the Head of Radio Citizen at the Royal Media Services.
In his education, Mburu studied at Emusire Boys High School in Kakamega before joining the University of Nairobi, where he studied development communication.
Mburu, passed on at MP Shah Hospital on September 2016 while undergoing treatment.
He had been battling gastric cancer and had been flown to India for treatment but returned and was admitted to MP Shah Hospital.
Leonard Mambo Mbotela
Mbotela is a Kenyan veteran journalist famous for his show “Je, Huu Ni Uungwana?” which is relayed on state-owned KBC Chanel 1 and KBC Radio Taifa.
Born in 1940 in Mombasa, Kenya, Mbotela joined Voice of Kenya (VoK), now Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), in 1964 and has had a successful career that spans more than five decades.
He briefly worked with Kenya Weekly News and the East African Standard before joining KBC.
His illustrious career in media would see him accosted during the attempted 1982 military coup.
During the altercation, he was forced at gunpoint to announce on air that the late President Daniel Moi’s government had been overthrown.
Mbotela was celebrated for his captivating voice and commentary on football matches.
His famous mantra ‘Kadenge na mpira’ was relatable to him whenever there was a football commentary.
Mbotela is currently retired and regularly appears for shows and segments once in a while.
In 2021, former President Uhuru Kenyatta would settle his Ksh 1 million hospital bill after the veteran journalist requested assistance due to financial constraints.
He would be appointed a member of the National Heroes council on September 2022 by former Sports and Culture Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed for a term of three years.
Caroline Mutoko
Mutoko started off her media career at Capital FM where she would give traffic updates on the radio as part of her job description.
Dubbed the ‘Queen of radio’ Mutoko would, later on, find her way at Radio Africa’s Kiss 100 radio station in 1999.
In the 2000s almost every youth was hooked to the station.
The duo that made many listen was that of Caroline Mutoko and comedian cum politician Walter Monga’re alias Nyambane.
At Kiss 100, she was the host of the show ‘Kiss FM’s Big breakfast’ where her audience loved her for her voice and her eloquent English.
Her interactive nature with her audience, and speaking to power through the mic while setting the agenda were aspects of her presentation that glued audiences to her show.
She is now the Chief Operating Officer of Radio Africa group which is the mother Company of Kiss TV, Classic 105, and Kiss 100.
Cess Mutungi
Known for her husky voice and infectious laughter, Mutungi still commands the airwaves as any legend would do.
She was the host of the prime drive-time show The Jam on Capital FM a program she hosted from 2009 to 2019.
Cess who is lovingly referred to as ‘Chairlady’ by her listeners grew in popularity due to her vivacious personality, her unmistakable laugh and her connection on-air and online with her audience, even creating a fan club dubbed ‘The Branch’.
Her love for radio would see her partner with Mike Mondo of Radio Africa’s Classic 105 where they host the Classic Drive show on weekdays from 3 pm-7 pm.
She has been in the media industry for years, being among the most celebrated radio presenters in the country.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
