KENYA: Another Catholic Radio Launched in Kenya
The Catholic Church in Kenya has launched yet another Radio Station in her endeavour to evangelize to the masses.
Osotua Catholic Radio 89.0 Fm which was officially blessed and launched on 22nd, August, 2018, by The Vice Chairman of The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Bishop of Ngong Diocese Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa is the 12th Catholic Radio in the Country.
Speaking at the New Radio Station situated at St. Peters Parish in Narok County, Bishop Oballa said that it is a great milestone for the diocese of Ngong as the radio becomes a mandatory tool for evangelization.
radio presenter Christabel known as Lady Tabs
“Our entire Ngong Diocese will continue to boast for this milestone which will be a mandatory tool in evangelization. This will give listeners spiritual and physical education, enlightening all in the community on the importance of focusing on good morals and striving to wage war against corruption, ethnicity, selfishness and greed and helping the entire community to live as true brothers and sisters in the form of God’s image.” Bishop Oballa said.
He expressed gratitude to KCCB – Commission for Social Communication, donors and Osotua radio pioneers for their generosity and support in the realization of the radio appealing to Parishes, the Christian community and friends of the Diocese as well as corporate institutions to continue supporting the radio so as to improve its service to reach as many people as possible.
“I thank you for your sincere contributions towards this achievement. I appeal to our deaneries those that have not yet contributed and those who are still contributing to collectively join hands for this radio is for us all to spread the Gospel of Christ to all corners.” Bishop Oballa said.
The Prelate who recited the radio slogan ‘Amani na Tueneze’ meaning Let us preach peace invited listeners of the radio to preach peace and live in harmony with one another revealing that, the radio will promote and develop a good environment for their benefit and future generations adding that it will be a tool to mobilize the community on working diligently and thus each one to earn income equitably and honestly.
Representing the KCCB-Commission for Social Communication Chairman Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi, the National Executive Secretary Dr Elias Mokua, SJ, appealed to the diocesan clergy to offer the radio their maximum support and blessings to enable the employees achieve their full potential for the progress and continuity of the radio.
Dr Mokua also challenged the radio Osotua presenters to work closely with Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in content generation and to focus in both developmental and spiritual matters in their various programs. “As much as we look into development let’s not forget spirituality, if it is rooted in the Small Christian Community, that program will continue because it is the Christians themselves who preach to each other. Said Dr Mokua.
He also called for involvement of all Parishes in content development for sustainability of the radio and asked Christians to support even by volunteering their time and services to the radio to ensure its survival and growth.
The Occasion was also graced by the Narok Govern Samuel Tunai who said the Maasai community will greatly benefit from the Catholic Radio pointing out that, the people will rely on the radio for news, information, direction and spiritual nourishment.
He promised that the Narok County government and corporates will be in the fore front to advertise with radio Osotua announcing in jubilation that, the radio brings with it wealth to benefit the young people who need moral and spiritual guidance.
The dream of a Diocesan Radio was born from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishop Social Communication Strategic plan 2016-2020, which aims at establishing twenty Catholic Radios in twenty Dioceses by the year 2020.
The name Osotua is a Maasai name meaning Peace, it has a deeper connotation of a covenant or relationship between the Maasai people and their God, it has a religious implication in the fact that the New Testament in Maasai is translated as Osotua Ngejuk and Osotua Musana for the Old Testament. It also means of a special relationship a life giving relationship between mother and child through the function of the umbilical cord.
It becomes the first Catholic Radio to broadcast in Narok County and its environs and in the diocese, broadcasting in Swahili and Maasai languages.
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By Rose Achiego and Daniel Kipngetich
