KENYA: The eleventh Catholic Radio operational in Kenya
By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications, KCCB
The Catholic Diocese of Maralal’s radio ‘Mchungaji’, which means ‘The Shepherd’, is the eleventh catholic radio to go on air and to be established by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Commission for Social Communications as part of its mission to have 20 radio stations by 2020.
Broadcasting on 95.4fm at 150 km radius, Radio Mchungaji which is currently airing Radio Waumini programs, is to have programs in Swahili, Samburu, Turkana and Pokot languages with the aim of promoting human and pastoral development, supporting peace building and community empowerment, strengthening catholic faith in the diocese of Maralal and facilitating awareness creation on projects managed by the Catholic Diocese of Maralal.
At the beginning of September, 2016, Waumini Communications team led by the Managing Director David Omwoyo conducted a one-week training to equip the radio personnel with radio broadcasting skills that included technical, production and presentation skills so as to reach out to the people of Maralal, Samburu County in a more professional way.
Mr. Omwoyo called on the 15 trained personnel to always observe professionalism and the Teachings of the Catholic Church in their day to day running of programs and to emphasize and promote programs that promote agriculture, gender equity, education, health and pastoral.
Situated in northern Kenya, Samburu County is classified among Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL). The area is inhabited by Samburu, Turkana and Pokot communities that practice a pastoralist mode of livelihood, the county has an estimated population of 223,947 people.
According to Caritas Maralal report, Samburu County has a long history of marginalization embedded in policies and practices of social, economic and political exclusions reflected in poor service delivery, poor infrastructure, high rates of illiteracy and morbidity.
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