Kenya Broadcasting Corporation


Kenya Broadcasting Corporation is the state-run media organisation of Kenya. It broadcasts in English and Swahili, as well as in most local languages of Kenya. The corporation started its life in 1928 when Kenya was a British colony. In 1964, when Kenya became an independent country, the corporation's name was changed to Voice of Kenya. In 1989, the Kenyan parliament reverted the corporation's name from Voice of Kenya to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
During the rule of president Daniel arap Moi, KBC became the mouthpiece of the government. Each broadcast opened with a piece on what the president had been doing that day. Under the then president, Mwai Kibaki KBC took a more objective approach. The corporation helped mould most of Kenya's notable journalists especially before the liberalisation of the airwaves in Kenya. The pioneer broadcasters post independence were Mauric Mwendah, Simeon Ndesanjo, Dalail Mzee,Aziz Yakub,, Aish Jenneby.Then there was the infux of Salim Ibrahim Juma, Salim Mohameed Omar,Daniel Njuguna Gatei, Leonard Mambo Mbotela whose name has for a long time been synonymous with KBC radio's Idhaa ya Kiswahili, Leonard Mambo is the longest serving broadcaster in Vok and KBC and the country, Kenya as a whole. Others before him included Job Isaac Mwamto, Amina Fakhii,Alfred Mike Muriethi, Joseph Kiema, Elizabeth Akinyi, Stephen Kikumu and others who spearheaded the swahili broadcasts. These were followed by the new breed of Billy Omala, James Abilla, Twalat Hamisi, Said Ali Matano, Ishmail Mohammed,Jacob William Maunda, Khadija Ali and Ali Salim Manga amongst many.
In the English service broadcasters who pioneered the service were Peter Clare, David Kelly, Hassan Mazoa, Sammy Lui, Norbert Okare, Martin Billy Mutta followed later by Peter Njoroge Mwaura, Elizabeth Omolo, Esther Kanyago, Yakub Ishaq, Amos Njogu amongst many. In the prime days of the service in the 1970s were Abdulhaq, George Opiyo, Tom Kazungu, Aisha Mohammed, Juweria Omari, Aisha Mohammed, Dan Olouch, Victor Omala, James Ogomah King and Kazungu Katana amongst others.
In the 80s and better part of 90s names such as Khamisi Themor, Ngulamu Mwaviro, Enacled Araba, Martin Nyongesa King`asia were also heard. The English service had its share of KIMC graduates, Serah Kihara, Gladys Erude. John Karani Wanjiru Kago Johnstone Omurunga,also opportunities were accorded to other KBC employees such as Ike Mulembo, Larry Wambua and others on the English Service.
KBC aired the popular Vitimbi comedy and drama show for more than 30 years before the show was taken off air on the national broadcaster in 2015.

History of KBC

Programs

Current

Imported shows

Animated shows

Domestic shows

Gospel

Animated shows