The mast january 2017 small

The Mast January 2017 1
THE MASTWhere broadcast history comes to life
JANUARY 2017 EDITION
Are you vying? ... Pg. 22
QUITINGPUBLICSERVICEFORPOLITICS
COVER: ROSE GAKUO,
NEWS ANCHOR, KBC CHANNEL 1

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Waithaka Waihenya
EDITOR: Evelyne Mwakina
SUB EDITOR: Jared Ombui
CONTRIBUTORS: Fridah Nyamu, Jane Kiama, Judi Wanjau, Sophia Mageshi,
Maureen Musyoki & Andy Morgan
PICTURES: Selestus Mayira, Fridah Nyamu, Maureen Musyoki
& Jared Ombui
DESIGN: Jared Ombui
REF: KBC/SOP/CC/DIO-05
CONTACT:
The Managing Director,
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation,
P. O. Box 30456 – 00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya.
Cell: 0723892654, 0724957163, 0734780124
Email: md@kbc.co.ke, corporateaffairs@kbc.co.ke
Website: www.kbc.co.ke
© The Mast January 2017
INSIDE
#1
How to invest in 2017 and
beyond - Pg. 4
#2
Drop Box
- Pg. 10
#4
Art: Bonnie Musambi aka
Gafa B - Pg. 14
Picture Talk
- Pg. 16
#5
“Many have changed so
much that they have
lost the magic of the
dream that carried
them on their own
bootstraps.
~ Peter Abrahams
QUOTE OF
THE MONTH
#6
Best Radio Producer: Winnie
Ng’etich - Pg. 18
#3
Kiembu Sub-Service
- Pg. 12
#7
Best TV Producer: Morris
Mithamo - Pg. 21
#8
Interview: Dominic Orenge
- Pg. 23
#9
Pictures of the Month
- Pg. 26

IN 2017 AND BEYOND
HOW TO INVEST
Every New Year, people try to lay down resolutions and plans
that they aim to achieve before the end of the year. 2017
is no different as people will always aim at certain goals. In-
vestment to secure one’s future is something that concerns
many. Yet to invest, you will need some capital. The Corpo-
rate Communication team sort to find out the various Saccos
(A Sacco is an acronym for Savings and Credit Cooperative
Organizations and is owned and managed by members who
have a common interest or objective) available to KBC em-
ployees where one can source for funds to enable them invest
and also how to balance their pay and comfortably invest.
*Photos/Jared Ombui & Fridah Nyamu.

Harambee Sacco is a Sacco that was
established with the sole purpose of ensur-
ing that staff from the Ministry of Informa-
tion, Communication and Technology (ICT),
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and
Kenya Institute of Mass Communication are
catered for and have the opportunity to en-
joy Sacco services.
I spoke to Jared Amasongole, the gen-
tleman in charge of Technical Operations in
Heritage TV, a digital station, who happens
to be the Branch Manager of Harambee
Sacco at KBC. Amasongole says that KBC
has slightly over 50 members in Harambee
Sacco. Some of the products to members in-
clude loans: development, school fees, and
emergency loans. Harambee Sacco also
seeks to address other pressing needs for its
members. The introduction of Jisaidie loan
for example was triggered by the realiza-
tion that many of its members were going to
commercial banks which give higher laons,
whereas Harambee sacco could only give a
loan according to a member’s savings.
Hence, Jisaidie loan allows members
to get as much as 4 times the amount of
shares they have saved. Loan repayments
are allowed for duration of up to 72 months.
The Jisaidie loan also helps its members to
offset loans from other financial institutions
that the member is servicing. Amasongo-
le says that Harambee Sacco also plans to
purchase prime land which can be subdi-
vided into plots and availed to members to
buy. The sacco conducts regular education
days to sensitize members on the available
products. As Branch Manager, Amasongo-
le says that his is service to people. Hence,
oftentimes, he takes the initiative to talk to
members interested in applying for a loan;
the Branch Manager will sit down with a
member and advise them on the best prod-
uct to choose from according to their needs.
The Branch Manager proudly points out that
one of the advantages of saving your mon-
ey with Harambee Sacco is that when you
apply for a loan, it is given within a very short
time.
Amasongole says that the contribution
of each member determines the amount
they qualify to apply for a loan; hence he
encourages people to save more with the
Sacco. Amasongole says that it takes only 3
months of saving with Harambee Sacco for
a member toqualify for a loan! Saccos are
known to operate under minimum interest
rates and Harambee Sacco applies a 1% in-
terest on reducing balance on School Fees
Loan, Emergency Loan, and Development
loans. However, the Jisaidie Loan is 13% per
annum. Harambee Sacco is happy to also
have a product called Karibu Loan, where a
member can get a loan a month after join-
ing the Sacco, where the Sacco gives you a
share boost thus enabling you to qualify to
apply a loan up to Kshs. 180,000.
For more information about Harambee
Sacco, you can contact;
Jared Amasongole
Harambee Sacco Branch Manager
Heritage TV, Technical Operations
Ext: 6471
By Fridah Nyamu
HARAMBEE SACCO

By Sophia Mageshi
ARDHI SACCO
KBC staff members can apply for
membership to Ardhi Sacco Society. KBC is
represented at the sacco by Mrs. Marga-
ret Wairmu, who is a delegate. Mrs Wairimu
works in the Secret Registry, Administration
department at KBC. The Ardhi Sacco del-
egate says that to qualify for any product
offered by Ardhi Sacco Society, one must
be certified a full member and this takes a
minimum of 6 months. The products under
Ardhi Sacco include: salary advance, devel-
opment loan, school fees loan, emergency
loan and jaza jaza loan. The Jaza jaza loan
is given to an individual who already has a
loan so the Sacco clears the 1st loan and
then the member is allowed to take another
one.
Ardhi Sacco carries out education
days twice a year to educate its members on
the various products and services available.
On the education day, Ardhi Sacco Officials
come to KBC for the purpose of educating
the members. Every member in the Sacco is
entitled to the products being offered and
therefore they are educated according to
the products they require. Their loan rates
are controlled by the Central Bank of Kenya
and the rates for the loans are 7.5 per an-
num and 0.65 per month. For the salary in
advance product, the rate of the loans are
0.78 per month and 9.36 per annum. These
loans are given to individuals according to
the salary one earns per month. One cannot
get a loan if he/she earns below 1/3 of the
loan required.
The duration of paying the loan is de-
termined by the amount of money an indi-
vidual has borrowed from the Sacco. When
applying for a loan, the recipient must dis-
cuss with the Sacco official in charge of loans
to agree on how many times a year he/she
will be paying the loan and the amount of
money that will be deducted for the loan
payment. They will also agree on the num-
ber of years in which the recipient will pay
the loan. This is determined by the salary the
individual earns and the amount of loan the
recipient is asking for. In the duration one is
applying for the loan, the interest rate will be
on reducing rates. The interest will decrease
as they continue deducting the loan.
The Ardhi Sacco society encourages
members to apply for loans according to
their specific needs. For instance, if a mem-
ber is in need of a loan in order to buy land
he/she will be encouraged to take the de-
velopment loan. Members of this Sacco are
educated when applying for loans; they are
informed about the rates which apply to the
loan and the duration they will pay for the
loan which varies according to the amount
of money one has applied for.
For more information about Ardhi Sacco,
you can contact;
Margaret Wairimu
Ardhi Sacco Delegate
Secret Registry, Administration
Ext: 6371

By Maureen Musyoki
MTANGAZAJI
SACCO
Mtangazaji Sacco is one of the Saccos
open to KBC staff members. The Sacco has an
office at Broadcasting House (KBC). The Sacco
has different types of products available to the
employees and also the industry players. Their
main product is loans which are specifically ad-
vanced to the employees who are members of
the Sacco. These loans include Normal loans,
School Fees loan, Emergency loans and Instant
loans.
A normal loan is given to an employee for
his/her personal development while school fees
loans are specifically for the purpose of school
fee. This is one of the loans that have been high-
ly beneficial to KBC employees as many have
applied to cater for their school fees as well as
the fees for their other dependants. Emergency
loans on the other hand are loans for unplanned
issues that have come up and they need imme-
diate attention. Lastly, the instant loan which is
processed at a faster rate as the name suggests,
is used to cater for instant matters.
All these loans have a common interest
rate of 1% on a reducing balance. For a person to
qualify for these loans, one has to be a member
of Mtangazaji Sacco for at least six months with
saved up shares with the Sacco. The amount of
the loan advanced to a member is determined
by the shares he or she has, the period he has
been a member and also the guarantors enlist-
ed. On the other hand the duration of the loan is
determined by the type of the loan because all
the loans are meant for different purposes.
When it comes to interest rates, these are deter-
mined by the duration the member plans to take
in servicing the loan. In simple terms, the longer
the period, the higher the interest rate. For the
benefits of the employees, Mtangazaji Sacco
sensitizes its members on the products and ser-
vices available. In the year 2016, the education
committee went to Mombasa for the sole pur-
pose of educating KBC employees under Mtan-
gazaji Sacco.
When a member seeks to apply for a
loan, the Sacco takes the initiative to educate
them on the different types of loans available,
vis-à-vis the type of loan one needs. Before ap-
plication, the member is made aware of the
terms and conditions of the various loans. Also
the members are advised according to qualifi-
cation and the pay slip. Members of Mtangazaji
Sacco are encouraged to apply for school fee
loans because education is the core value that
drives society. This is the reason last year Mtan-
gazaji Sacco Sacco suspended all the normal
loans to create more room for members to ap-
ply for school fee loans.
Apart from the loans, the Sacco has a
holiday savings account where members can
save for the purpose of family holidays. For the
purpose of easy and fast access to money, the
Sacco has brought services such as Co-op Kwa
Jirani, a product of Co-operative Bank and also
M-pesa, close to its members. Lastly the Sacco
sells KPLC tokens as well as Airtime to make com-
munications more efficient for official matters in
and out of KBC.
For more information about Mtangazaji Sacco,
you can contact;
Linet Namayi
Mtangazaji Sacco,
Central Management Committee Member
Former Secretary to the Sacco
Human Resource Office, Registry
Ext: 6324

Hazina Sacco limited is a nation-wide
savings and credit co-operative organiza-
tion which was established in 1971. Member-
ship is open to civil servants and the private
sector. Hazina Sacco’s main objective is giv-
ing its members an opportunity to save their
earnings, thereby creating a source of loan-
able funds. The Sacco currently has over
12,000 members’ country wide.
Hazina Sacco offers various loan ser-
vices such as:
Normal Loan, also known as development
loans which can be utilized by members in-
terested in real estate. The interest rate on
this loan is 1% per month on reducing bal-
ance. The loan limit a member can get is
Ksh. 12 million repayable in 72 months and
subject to the 1/3 rule: Top-Up Loan. This
service is available to those who have loan
balances and who wish to get normal loans.
Members are allowed to request for this loan
and a commission of 10% is charged on to-
tal outstanding loans. This loan is treated as
a normal loan and therefore all applications
should be received on or before 20th of
every month. The loan can be paid within a
period of 5 years.
Emergency Loans: This service caters for
medical treatment, court fines, civil cas-
es and other unforeseen emergencies. The
maximum loan one can be granted is dic-
tated by the member’s ability to repay and
is subject to the 1/3 rule and 3 times shares/
deposits limit. The loan is repayable within
12 months. No documentary evidence is re-
quired for emergency loans.
School Fees and College Fees: College and
university fees loan is for a maximum of Kshs.
500,000/- per member per year, repaya-
ble within 12 months. Nursery to secondary
school fees loan maximum is Kshs. 200,000/-
per member per year repayable within a
period of 12 months. No documentary evi-
dence is required while acquiring this loan.
For one to qualify for any of the loan
services they must have been a member of
Hazina Sacco for a period of not less than 6
months and also be a shareholder. A 1% rate
on the reducing balance is charged on the
loan and not the initial amount. The normal
loan has the longest duration to repay with
a maximum of 5 years. The loan given is also
determined by the client’s financial capa-
bility so as to establish their ability to repay
within the set time frame; however the du-
ration taken to pay the loan does not affect
the 1% interest rate.
Hazina Sacco holds at least one an-
nual meeting known as members’ day. Dur-
ing the meetings, members are educated
on products and services offered and how
to actively benefit from loans granted. This
sensitization provides a smooth working envi-
ronment for both the clients and Hazina staff
members
For more information about Hazina Sacco,
you can contact;
Gerald Netia
Hazina Representative
Traffic Section – Radio Department
Ext: 6523
By Andy Morgan
HAZINA SACCO

WEDNESDAY
10:00pm
&

MARKETING EXECUTIVE
DOSYLINE OKOTH
MARKETING EXECUTIVE
ELSIE ONYANGO
DRIVER
PASCAL BARASA
DROP BOX
>> How was 2016 and what are your expectations for the year 2017?
2016 was great. My
small business did
well – profits doubled.
Here in BH, I was ful-
ly engaged with en-
suring reporters were
on time to scenes
or events across the
country.
The year has started
well but a bit slow
both here and out-
side. Anyway, it’s still
early to predict what
other 12 months will
present. I am hope-
ful all will work out for
the better.
I thank God for seeing
me through 2016. As a
Marketing Executive,
business was so good.
I also made many
new friends a few of
them were blessed
with cute babies and
I share their joy.
This year I expect to
make more money as
well as grow socially
and spiritually. I am
confident that God’s
favor is up on me.
For me 2016 was a
busy year in and
out of Broadcasting
House. I thank God
I finished a Masters
Degree in Marketing
and made scores of
business friends.
2017 will be full of
fun, triple the money
I make and try new
things because I have
the time. I will take
risks and be happy.
Compiled by Jane Kiama

TELEVISION PRODUCER
steve wetindi
RADIO PRESENTER
MWINYI KAZUNGU
TELEPHONE OPERATOR
JOHN SAKAU
DROP BOX
>> How was 2016 and what are your expectations for the year 2017?
It was productive in
terms of the number
of programmes I pro-
duced although a bit
slow economically. A
few projects didn’t go
very well but towards
the end of year things
started looking up. So-
cially I made friends
and did a few things in
my bucket list.
I am looking forward
to good shows, more
connections and giv-
ing the Corporation
the best in 2017. I also
pray for peace. Re-
member Kenyans will
be voting in leaders on
8th August, 2017.
2016 was my year. ‘Top
Mashariki’ radio show
bagged two prestig-
ious awards and cel-
ebrated two years
of ‘Top Mashariki’ TV
show. At personal lev-
el, I wedded, cele-
brated my baby’s 2nd
birthday and my sister
got married in Tanza-
nia.
I pray peaceful elec-
tions in 2017. I also
plan to work hand in
hand with government
bodies in promoting
peace, awareness on
drug abuse and sup-
port talent search.
I thank God 2016. Sad
that a colleague re-
tired after 30 years of
service. However, I’m
motivated to work
smart.
In 2017, I pray for
peaceful elections,
the ability to embrace
each other as Kenyans
despite differences in
political opinions and
that the drought ends
soon. I also hope for
enhanced interde-
partmental relations in
Broadcasting House.
As a Telephone Op-
erator, I commit to so
server you better.

Kiembu Sub-Service started in 1993 under the Central
Service that comprised of Kikamba, Kimeru and Ki-
kuyu Sub-Services.
Based in Nairobi, the Sub-Service was pioneered by
female journalists namely Njoki Njeru, Rwamba Kam-
wiri and Muthini Karori. In 2005, the station recruited
the first male continuity announcer and a sports pro-
ducer Ezra Kathii aka Dj Flavour.
Kiembu Sub-Service is praised for development com-
munication. It is received on Medium Wave (MW)
747 KHz from 06:00am to 10:00am every Monday to
Sunday. But with advent of the digital broadcasting
migration, the station was also plugged on the Sig-
net; a free-to-air platform owned by KBC where fans
can enjoy re-runs of programmes and music from the
community.
Today the Kiembu Sub-Service has three present-
ers: Grace Waweru (wa Maina Mpenda Yesu), Ruth
Rwamba (Rwamba Rwamba) and Ezra Kathii. It in-
tends to revamp its programming in 2017.
*By Maureen Musyoki
KIEMBU SUB-SERVICE
HEAD OF KIEMBU SUB-SERVICE
EZRA KATHII
SECONDS 15'' 20'' 25'' 30'' 35'' 40'' 45'' 50'' 55'' 60''
COST 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 11,000 12,000
ADVERTISING RATES
CONTACT:
Advertising Manager
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation,
P.O.Box 30456 – 00100,
Nairobi,Kenya.
Telephone: 0723 892 654
or 0734 780 124
Website:www.kbctv.co.ke
Email:marketing@kbc.co.ke

Mon 05.00AM – 09.00AMCounty politics dominated the conversation.
ruth rwamba | producer
tue 05.00AM – 09.00AMFamily issues.
wed 05.00AM – 09.00AMHealth and Environmental issues.
thur 05.00AM – 09.00AMYouth and women take centre stage in leadership
and development.
grace wawira| producer
fri 05.00AM – 09.00AMAgribusiness and farming tips.
sat 05.00AM – 09.00AMCultural programmes, music, sports and youth issues.
EZRA KATHII | producer
sun 05.00AM – 09.00AMSpiritual nourishment through songs of praise and
sharing of Bible verses.

Bonnie Musambi better known to his fans as
Gafa B is no ordinary guy; Musambi is multi-
talented and that is evident enough. Not only
is he able to pull crowds to listen to him on
radio but also on stage, he is a gospel musi-
cian and has a new single out called Tafakari.
Gafa B understands well that his talent is a gift
from God, and what he does with it, will be
his gift back to God.
A man of God once told him that God was
preparing him for greatness and that is why
his birth was not normal births: Gafa B stayed
in his mother’s womb for 11 months! Gafa B
says that his first song composed at the age of
3 years was a song asking his mother to make
him porridge because he was very hungry.
From then on he grew up in church singing
from that age.He then joined the choir where
his dad was the choir master and by the time
he was 16, he had become a choir conductor
and took his school Kisasi Boys’ High school
to the nationals for the first time.After high
school he began training secondary schools
and churches and in 2003 he released his first
album and being very new in the industry it
didn’t do very well.
For Bonnie, coming up with a stage name
was not just a normal task or guess work;
BONNIE
MUSAMBI
A.K.A
GAFA B
By Jane Kiama
“Gafa B has composed over
100 songs but he has only
recorded a few. He however
wants to start a fresh and for-
get about all the old volumes.

he prayed about it until he got a revelation
with the name GAFA B meaning Gifted and
Favored Bonnie. Growing up Bonnie knew he
was talented but he needed God’s favour to
make it in the industry.
His music genre is gospel rhumba and he
loves lingala as he had an interest in the lan-
guage since his early days in high school. This
is where started by writing lingala songs even
though he couldn’t understand them,so when
he started his singing journey,it was inevitable
that he would go that direction.
Gafa B owes his success to his parents the
late Paul Ngau Musambi and Valentine Mo-
nakho,and Congolese Lingala artist Koffi Olo-
mide who influenced his singing. His parents
taught him about music notation while Koffi
made him understand how rhumba music is
arranged.The father and mother helped him
to put meaning to the lingala beat and pass a
positive message.
Currently, Gafa B has composed over 100
songs but he has only recorded a few.He how-
ever wants to start a fresh and forget about
all the old volumes. He also plays a number of
musical instruments like the piano, guitar and
the drum set which he all learnt in church.
So how does he strike a balance between
work and music? For Gafa B, from Monday to
Friday he belongs to his career as a journalist
with KBC and in the evening he attends class-
es. On weekends, Gafa B attends to his family
and music hence balancing all. That said, his
family has been his support system through it
all. Musambi is grateful to his wife who loves
him and his music as well, and his daughters
who continue to give him all the support and
encouragement the he needs.
When it comes to his music, Gafa B is not so
passionate about doing any collaboration any
time soon. He feels collaborations have been
corrupted and many artists are using them
for fame. Gafa B is not seeking prominence:
his motive is to execute what God wants him
to do. His focus now is to buy all the music
instruments that will enable him to evangelize
through music without asking people to pay a
single cent at his performances. He also aims
to release more singles and promote his cur-
rent single Tafakari on Radio and TV stations
so that people will also know him as a gospel
musician and not just as Bonnie Musambi, the
KBC Radio and TV presenter. Many people
would think that promoting his song would
be easy since he is already in the media, but
he points out that he can’t use his show to
promote his music and other radio stations
shy off from his music considering he is from
a competing station.
Gafa B points out that his career has not been
all smooth sailing as it has also come with its
own share of challenges.The major challenge
is time, which has been inadequate consider-
ing his job. His other challenge would be that
the youth,being his main target,have not pos-
itively embraced rhumba music. He however
doesn’t hope to dive into music as a full time
career as his dreams are more into Public Re-
lations and he hopes to one day open a PR
firm.This doesn’t mean he will drop music, he
in fact hopes to expand his basket and add
preaching into it.

Photo/Fridah Nyamu
PICTURE TALK
1. KBC MD and Sponsor Mr. Waithaka Waihe-
nya addressing staff during the AGM.
2. HRM Mr. Daniel Okoth clarifying an issue to
KBC staff.
Photo/Selestus Mayira
KBC (SRBS) ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING ON SATURDAY 21ST
JANUARY, 2017 at
broadcasting house,
NAIROBI 3. Staff listening to proceedings during the KBC
AGM at Broadcasting House, Nairobi.

6
5
PICTURE TALK
Photo/Selestus Mayira
Leader of Majority in
the National Assembly
hon. aden duale on
iftiin fm.
1. Iftiin FM Presenter Abdinoor Ali hosting Leader of
Majority in the National Assembly Hon. Aden Duale
on ‘Hodi Hodi‘, a breakfast show.
2. Hon. Aden Duale responding to questions be
asked on Iftiin FM
3. ‘Hodi Hodi’ Presenter Abdinoor Ali.

bestproducer
january2017
RADIO

Ms. Winnie Ngetich’s dream to be a ra-
dio presenter started when she was still
a young girl back in high school. She
was inspired by Mr. Moses Koech, a ra-
dio journalist that worked at KBC Kalen-
jin Sub-Service in Kisumu and later be-
came the Radio Programmes Manager.
In Form Three, she attended a KBC
function in Eldoret and from there she
decided to become a radio present-
er. After attaining her Diploma in Jour-
nalism, she landed a job at the Kalenjin
Sub-Service on the 6th November, 2005.
In 2011 after the transformation of the
KalenjinSub-ServicetoKitwekFM,a24hour
radio station, Winnie moved to Nairobi to
host the breakfast show which runs every
5amto10amfromMondaythroughFriday.
Herdaystarts3amonweekdayswithgoing
through the email, perusing the newspa-
pers, flipping through international radio
stations to get global news and checking
KBC social media pages. For local news,
she is keen on devolution matters be-
cause they impact her audience directly.
Over the years, Winnie has be able to host
varioushighprofileguestsonhershowsuch
as Deputy President William Ruto, Leader
of Majority in the National Assembly Adan
Duale and most recently former Inspec-
tor General of Police Dr. David Kimaiyo.
Despite her dynamic career as a radio
presenter, Winnie shares with us some
of her challenges. First is managing high
expectations from fans. For instance
they get surprised seeing pictures of her
tending to her farm. Secondly, privacy
is also a luxury. She narrates that she of-
ten receives calls late at night people
seeking for assistance and when they
are turned down they get disappointed.
Winnie is pursuing a Bachelor Degree
in Communication and Media major-
ing in Development Communication.
She has attended professional train-
ing conducted by the British Broad-
casting Corporation (BBC), and the
InterNews where she received Digital
Recorder Certificate. In 2011, she rec-
ognized for the best performance.
Winnie advices aspiring vernacular ra-
dio presenters to be patient and profes-
sional in the way they communicate as
language plays a major role in how the
message is deciphered by the listen-
er. She also adds that as a vernacular
presenter, one should treat their audi-
ence with equality and not be biased.
She concludes by sharing a light mo-
ment in her career that she will never
forget. On this particular day, a listener
called and said ‘Hallo Kitwek’ instead
of Winnie responding ‘Agosin’ which
means I am listening, she responded
‘Achomin,’ which means I Love You.
*Compiled by Andy Morgan.

BESTPRODUCER
january 2017
TELEVISION

God fearing, simple and open mind-
ed are a few words that describe Morris
Mithamo, a News Director and Producer.
His educational journey started at Nairobi
PrimarySchoolthenThikaHighschooland
Aquinas High school. After high school he
joined Andrew Crawford Media Training
School (Nairobi) where he acquired a
Higher Diploma in Broadcast Journalism.
In 2008, he joined KBC as an intern at
the Television Programmes Department
where he sharpened his skills which land-
ed a contract to produce Plot 10, Kivun-
ja Mbavu and Vioja Mahakamani. In
the same year, he was awarded a life
achievement award by the United Na-
tion Development programme (UNDP).
After five years, he was hired permanent-
ly as a News Director and Producer at the
NewsandEditorialDepartmentunderthe
then Editor-in-Chief Mr. Vitalis Musebe.
Mithamo has attended several mid-ca-
reer trainings by the BBC and other part-
ners.Headmitsthatsuchrefreshercourses
have built his understanding on emerging
media trends and enhanced his produc-
tion skills.
He points out that News directing and
production is anchored on team work.
Mithamohasmanagedtobuildharmony
through inspiring and listening to his team
made of the old and the young, and sen-
iors and juniors. As a team leader of 10
officers, he pays attention to pre-produc-
tion that leads to a successful production.
He challenges the young producers and
directorstobepatientandbekeenwhen
learning because production is a tough
at the technical and human resource
level. However, he urges the upcoming
to be team players.
Mithamo intends to pursue a Degree in
Communication at the University of Nai-
robi (UoN). In future, he hopes to drive a
white Toyota Land Cruiser.
*Compiled by Sophia Mageshi.
ceceni yaku
murata waku
Nairobi 99.5
Nyeri 102.5
Nakuru 99.7
Thikeriria

Who is Orenge?
I was born in December 1974 in Kisii County.
I studied in Thiangumo Primary School then
finished high school from Nyokoiba Second-
ary School in 1993. In 2016, he graduated
from Kisii University with a Bachelors Degree
in Public Administration.
Judi, I am married to Janet Sara, so, no
space for another ring. I have three hand-
some boys.
How was your early life when you moved to
Nairobi?
Like some people, I moved to Nairobi at an
early age in order to make my life better by
venturing into employment. It was difficult
and therefore I joined Sterugi College be-
cause I believed a better education meant
a better job. After completing studies in
Sales and Marketing was hired as a steward
then a waiter in the hotel industry. In the end,
I had worked for ten hotels.
What made you move from the Hotel Indus-
try to the Media Industry?
As young boy, I always dreamt of working for
the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
Even before joining the Corporation, I told
people that I worked for the pioneer broad-
caster but that I kept wishing to be a journal-
ist at KBC. My dream was valid and it never
died.
Apart from watching and listening to KBC,
the other connection with KBC was an un-
cle who worked at the Corporation as a Me-
chanic. He was also my role model.
Tell us about your journey to joining KBC?
In March 1997, my uncle informed me of an
opening at KBC in the Security Section under
the Administration Department. I tried my
luck and got the job as a Security Officer but
posted to the Langata Transmission Station.
In 1998, I joined the Technical University of
Kenya where I pursued an Advanced Cer-
tificate in Graphics Design and Commu-
nication where upon my graduation I was
attached to Television Programmes Depart-
ment’s Design Section.
In 2010, Minto FM, a 24 hour Kisii station was
launched under the then Radio Programmes
Manager Walter Mong’are and there came
an opportunity to become one of the pio-
neers. I presented ‘Obosera’, a Rhumba
Show on weekends and ‘Ekeiyano’, a politi-
cal show on Sunday.
How did you come to know that you wanted
to join politics?
Politics is not for the faint hearted, and for
me, politics has always been in blood.
Back in 2013, every Sunday I hosted top politi-
cians from Gusiiland such as Chris Bichange,
Kennedy Mong’are Okongo. It is through
‘Ekeiyano’ that I realized politics is my next
career.
Tell us of the Challenges you have faced so
far in politics?
The major challenge in politics I would say
is cash. As a politician you need enough
money to run your campaigns and for me I
depend on my security firm to fund my cam-
paign.
Did you mention a security firm?
Yes, I am a businessman. I own Dosa Security
Limited. This firm started with a guard but to-
day I have 270 guards. I am grateful to KBC
On 8th August, 2017 Kenyans will be going to the polls to elect the president, governors, senators,
women representatives, members of parliament and members of the county assembly. In KBC, a
number of staff have resigned to venture into politics. Judi Wanjau caught up with Dominic Tom
Orenge popularly known as Dosa who will be contesting for an MCA in Mountain View Ward,
Nairobi. She sought to know why he left civil service for politics and how prepared he is for the
ballot.
INTERVIEW:DOMINICORENGE

because working as a Security Officer gave
me the idea to start this firm.
Let’s get back to politics, who are fighting
against?
I believe I am the strongest candidate from
the Mountain View Ward. Currently, I am
waiting for the Orange Democratic Move-
ment (ODM) party primaries in April 2017
and I’m fighting against 20 candidates.
Those standing against me are weak be-
cause they are merely businessmen or wom-
en who do not understand issues that affect
the common man.
What if you are beaten during the nomina-
tions?
Competition is healthy. If I do not emerge
the win during the party primaries, I will con-
cede and support the flag bearer. Those
that that win have more friends, but I know I
have more friends than them.
Nominated Senator Naisula Lesuuda and
Murang’a County Women Representative
Sabina Chege are former KBC staff. What
should KBC Staff learn from Lesuuda, Sabina
and you?
Politics is a good game and I believe the
two (Lesuuda and Sabina) have been our
mentor. The sky is the limit. Those with pas-
sion from within should join politics.
What will your campaign focus on?
Health is priority. Adding dispensaries and
equipping them to handle basic services
and minor ailments. Majority of people in this
ward have been forced to seek for servic-
es elsewhere which is often expensive and
far from their homesteads. I am looking at
collaborations with county government, na-
tional government, donors and other well
wishers.
Secondly, security is the only guarantee to
development in my ward. The youths should
be engaged as a strategy to negate unem-
ployment.
The youth, women and the disable will re-
ceive better services from my office. The
youth are the pillar of any progressive com-
munity.
What is your advice to the Youth?
Let them try their hand in business. In KBC,
most of people work in shifts, so do not waste
the rest of the time just sitting around, start a
side hustle, go back to school and advance
education/skill. Don’t be comfortable.
Kindly share with us your future plans.
I aspire to be a role model to the youth, a
good leader and a big businessman in the
society and if it is the will of God, to be an
MCA then an MP.
Your last words to KBC?
I am grateful to KBC for it made me. My jour-
ney was a Security Officer to a Graphics De-
signer and a Radio presenter. Broadcasting
House opened a world that enabled me to
confidently interact and make friends. The
best memories in my life were right here. KBC
is the best.

PICTURES OF THE MONTH
KBC Radio Supervisors and a BBC trainer pose for a photo after a training dubbed ‘Coaching for Success’ at
the Norfolk Hotel. Photo/Selestus Mayira
L-R: Senior Inspector of Electronics Esther Ndunge, Chief Inspector of Electronics Nancy Mwaniki and Superintendent
of Elecronics Denis Meso. Photo/Selestus Mayira

PICTURES OF THE MONTH
KBC’s Toepista Nabusoba (right) and Jameelah Kasalu (left) and former KBC presenter Gladys Erude (centre) posing
for a selfie at the Radio Hall, Broadcasting House, Nairobi. Photo/Toepista Nabusoba
L-R: American-Korean author Joan Sikand chatting with KBC English Service presenter Angela Mwihaki.
Photo/Jared Ombui

The Mast January 201728kenyabroadcastingcorporation @kbcnational
Boru Galgallo
Presenter, Borana Sub-Service

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