Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)
About KBC

Our mandate.

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation is a state corporation established by an Act of Parliament CAP 221 of the laws of Kenya to undertake public services.

Our mission

“The leading Broadcaster, providing quality programmes”.

We are committed to excellence in broadcast services to our audience, customers, the public and the government.

Guiding Principles

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation provides the audience with innovative, high quality programmes.
The Corporation enhances development of local cultural values by facilitating the dissemination, preservation and conservation of authentically indigenous values.
The Corporation contributes to the economic, educational, cultural and social well being of Kenyans.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation promotes the “Universal access to information for all” through provision of free to air services.
Aim and Objectives

To inform, educate and entertain the public through radio and television services and thereby propagate all that consolidates national unity, peace, love and development.

Specific Aims

Increased understanding among the people on the government development policies and strategies.
Impart knowledge on the process of effective communication with key publics
Promote an effective approach to the use of radio and television as tools for National Development.
Our Services

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation offers the following radio and television services.

Public Service Radios

National Kiswahili Service
National English Service
Regional Eastern Service transmitting in Somali, Borana, Rendile, Burji and Turkana
Regional Central Service transmitting in Meru, Embu, Maasai and Kamba
Regional Western Service transmitting in Luo, Kisii, Kalenjin, Kuria, Teso, Luhya, Suba and Pokot
Commercial Radio

Music and Entertainment, Metro FM transmitting to major urban areas of Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret and Kisumu.
Coro FM transmitting to Nairobi and Mount Kenya Region on 102.3 and 99.5 MGHZ
Pwani FM transmitting to coast region
Television Services

Free to air KBC channel 1
Pay Television channel 2
Entertainment Metro Television channel 31 transmitting over a radius of 85 Kms from Limuru
The History of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation

English Radio Broadcasting begun in 1928. The Broadcasts targeted white settlers who monitored news from their home and other parts of the world.
The first radio broadcasts targeting Africans came during the 2nd World War to inform parents and relatives of African soldiers what was happening at the war front.
In 1953, the first broadcast service was created for Africans. African Broadcasting Services carried programmes in Kiswahili, Dholuo, Kikuyu, Kinandi, Kiluhya, Kikamba and Arabic
In 1954, the Kenya Broadcasting Services (KBS) was established. Regional stations were set up in Mombasa (Sauti ya Mvita), Nyeri (Mount Kenya Station) and Kisumu (Lake Station).
In 1961, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) was formed to take over broadcasting services from the government controlled Kenya Broadcasting Services
In 1962, Television was introduced in Kenya. The first transmitting station was set on a farm house in Limuru and the station transmitted a radius of 15 miles.
On 1st July 1964, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation was nationalized into Voice of Kenya through an Act of Parliament.
In 1970, a new television station opened in Mombasa to relay programmes and produce local dramas, music, cultural and other programmes
In 1989, the Voice of Kenya changed back to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation through an Act of Parliament.
In 1989, a contract was signed between KBC and Japan Telecommunications Engineering consultancy service (JETC) for improvement and expansion of the national medium wave frequency radio broadcasting network.
In 1991, KBC signed a contract with Marubeni Corporation of Tokyo, Japan for upgrading of medium wave transmitting stations and construction of new ones.
In 1993, KBC embarked on a major modernization project to upgrade its transmitting station, construct new ones and improve on switching and rooting network.
In 1996, KBC commissioned Metro FM as a 90% music radio
In September 2000, KBC commissioned Metro Television as a Sports and entertainment channel
In December 2000, KBC started Coro FM, transmitting in Kikuyu language to Nairobi and Mount Kenya Region
In 2001, Pwani FM was started to carter for the Coast Region
The KBC Board of Directors

Mr.Charles Musyoki Muoki - Chairman
Mr. David Waweru – Managing Director
Mr. Hezekiel Oira - Corporation Secretary
Mrs. Catherine Kuria
Mr. Caleb Lawrence Olali
Mr. Ben Gituku
Mr. Charles Mwihia
Mr. Vitalis Musebe
Mr. Ezekiel Mutua- Representative Ministry of Information and Communication
Ms. Eunice Muthamia - Representative Ministry of Finance
Mrs. Robert Kun'gu- Representative Attorney General Chambers
Mr. Onesmus Kibuna - Representative Office of the President
The Management Team.

Mr. David Waweru – Managing Director
Mr. Hezekiel Oira - Corporation Secretary
Mrs. Eunice O. Arwa - Senior Legal Officer
Mr. Samwel Otieno - Manager Technical Services
Mr. Anthony Wafula- Radio Production Manager
Ms Waithera Munyoro- Marketing Manager
Mr. Waceke Ndungu - TV Programmes Manager
Mr. Waithaka Waihenya - Editor-In-Chief
Mr. Arthur Mailo - Human Resources Manager
Mr. Zachary Ochako - Administration Manager
Mr. Musa Muthambi - Finance Manager
Mr. Samuel Njeru – Principal Internal Auditor
Mr. Robert Wekesa - Procurement Manager
Mr. Ancent Mutuku King'oo - Chief Security Officer