KBC launches 24-hour vernacular station

29 Aug 2011

The Kenyan Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has launched, Kitwek 98.0 FM, its first 24-hour Kalenjin vernacular radio station.

Kenyan Information Minister Samuel Poghisio officially launched the station at a time when media in the country is diversifying.

Poghisio said the radio station will boost various projects like farming, livestock development, business and advertising activities in the region which is rich while the youth's talents will be honed and utilized to the maximum by this medium.

The minister further said that the new constitution promotes freedom of expression including in mother tongue, and refuted allegations that the vernacular local radio station would encourage disunity among all Kenyans. He also advised journalists to follow the stipulated code of conduct for the practice of journalism in Kenya and uphold the highest professional standards in their work and avoid sensational content which promote disunity amongst Kenyans.

The minister urged KBC which is the national broadcaster to provide accurate, balanced and effective local content in order to win the trust of Kenyans who always have a flair for news.

Poghisio acknowledged the role being played by other commercial broadcasters in the economy and added that he was happy with the progress made in the dynamic media industry that has created a competitive sector and promoted health and vibrant democracy in the country.

Managing director of KBC, Waithaka Waihenya added that the new station will live up to its duty of observing objectivity, accuracy and fairness

From analogue to digital broadcasting

KBC is set to launch its first digital broadcasting signal this year as the country moves from analogue to digital broadcasting by next year.

According to Poghisio the corporation already has two digital distributors and are in the process of procuring for a third distributor.

The minister said that the government was ironing out issues facing the identification of the third distributor saying that they want to ensure that licenses will be issued in a manner that signifies that the procurement process is followed to the letter.

Saying that digital migration from analogue was an international phenomenon, the minister said that the country will have moved to digital TV by next year giving Kenyans an opportunity to switch to the new signal before the 2015 set date internationally.