KENYA: New Catholic Radio Station seeks to promote Peace and Reconciliation in the country’s war torn North.
The Catholic Diocese of Marsabit, Kenya has expressed joy over the
opening of the only radio station operating in the jungle; “Radio Jangwani
106.3 FM” owned by the Diocese.
opening of the only radio station operating in the jungle; “Radio Jangwani
106.3 FM” owned by the Diocese.
Radio Jangwani which means ‘Desert Radio’ as the name suggest, operates in the largest county in Kenya
mainly semi-arid and dominated by pastoralists.
mainly semi-arid and dominated by pastoralists.
In a telephone interview with Waumini Communications, The Radio
Director Fr. Ibrahim Racho said that the radio which went on air on 26th,
January, 2016, is a tool for evangelization and aims at addressing social,
economic and political concerns of the people of Marsabit. “Through our programs, we intend to promote
community dialogue and co-existence in a region confronted by frequent ethnic
clashes, cattle rustling and cross border conflicts amongst others,” he said.
Director Fr. Ibrahim Racho said that the radio which went on air on 26th,
January, 2016, is a tool for evangelization and aims at addressing social,
economic and political concerns of the people of Marsabit. “Through our programs, we intend to promote
community dialogue and co-existence in a region confronted by frequent ethnic
clashes, cattle rustling and cross border conflicts amongst others,” he said.
Fr Racho confirmed that the radio has been well received by the
community members who have given their feedback through the phone calls and
text messages sent to the radio.
community members who have given their feedback through the phone calls and
text messages sent to the radio.
He added that though there are 14 different communities in
Marsabit County, the radio Jangwani broadcasts in four languages: Swahili,
Borana, Turkana and Samburu since they are widely understood by all.
Marsabit County, the radio Jangwani broadcasts in four languages: Swahili,
Borana, Turkana and Samburu since they are widely understood by all.
Fr. Racho thanked Marsabit Bishop Rt. Rev Peter Kihara who is also
the KCCB- Commission for Communication Vice Chairman for ensuring that the
Diocese has a radio station, Waumini Communications and other partners for the
realization of the project.
the KCCB- Commission for Communication Vice Chairman for ensuring that the
Diocese has a radio station, Waumini Communications and other partners for the
realization of the project.
Meanwhile, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Waumini
communications
communications
Managing Director David Omwoyo said that Radio Jangwani is one
of the 20 radio stations envisaged in the strategic plan that hopes to have 20
radio stations across the country by 2020.
Omwoyo said that, Waumini Communications is committed to ensuring
that the radio has reliable means of transport to enable accessibility even to the
interior parts of the County for news coverage and program production
highlighting the need to empower radio personnel through capacity building,
training on conflict resolution, investigative journalism and others as the
need arise.
that the radio has reliable means of transport to enable accessibility even to the
interior parts of the County for news coverage and program production
highlighting the need to empower radio personnel through capacity building,
training on conflict resolution, investigative journalism and others as the
need arise.
He said the radio is a vital tool in addressing issues of tribal
clashes by preaching peace, encouraging rural development, offering community
education and addressing issues of radicalization through its daily
programming.
clashes by preaching peace, encouraging rural development, offering community
education and addressing issues of radicalization through its daily
programming.
The radio that still require a higher transmission power, covers
150km radius and is reaching to all the 13 Parishes on a 78,000 square
kilometers.
150km radius and is reaching to all the 13 Parishes on a 78,000 square
kilometers.
By Rose Achiego, Waumini
Communications, KCCB
Communications, KCCB
