END OF AN ERA by Elizabeth
Muthama
Shortly
after completing her bachelor’s degree in the University of Nairobi, Carolyne
Mutoko landed a job in capital FM. 4 years down that lane; she joined Radio Africa,
taking the morning show ‘Big Breakfast’ in Kiss 100 for a decade she has worked
with starlets such as Walter ‘Nyambane’ Mong’are, Larry Asego, Jalang’o, and
most recently Linda Nyangweso and comedian Chipukeezy. 7 days ago Ms Mutoko
finally lay down her tools of radio presenting, day in day out she addressed
the nation on brave topics that had others label her as insensitive and
sometimes proud. All the same her announcement of hanging the microphone was
received with a lot of nostalgia by her social media followers: Some
reminiscing of the great shows while others wishing her good luck in her
endeavours. Here are some of the messages.
caroooooo......y
r u leaving? manze caro bila breakfast show ni kama chai bila shuge...noma...ta
managed shld do smthng...mgetupa notice banaa...yyyyyyyyy? we wnt caro bck
plse! ama we wil b on streets..serikali saidia.
Will
miss u Carol, your insight, ur passion and your desire to change the way things
are done, not just as individuals but as a nation. Listening to you has always
inspired me and given me a different, mind set.
Rebrand get set and go…
Mutoko’s
exit in radio presenting may have been long forth coming, but it is said to
have been hastened by the acquiring of 49% shares of Radio Africa by Times
Media a South African company. Kiss 100, now Kiss FM Kenya was said to have
lost a substantial number of morning listeners and hence the re-branding and
strategizing that saw the longest radio duo, Shaffie Weru and Kalekye Mumo move
from the overdrive show to the Morning Kiss and Linda Nyangweso, Chipukeezy and
Jeff take over the overdrive. Ms Mutoko
is said to have taken up a managerial position in the radio Africa pecking
order.
The
move by Kiss 100 has come couple of months after its competitor Easy FM also
re-branded to Nation FM and introduced new presenters while letting go old time
voices such as Sheilah Mwanyigah and Edward Kwach.
In
my view Kiss FM might lose some morning listeners, who loved the gusty topics
Carolyne Mutoko addressed, but after sometime the numbers will stabilise. After
all, Kalekye Mumo and Shaffie Weru had quite a great following in the ‘Rush
Hour’. So long dear reader…
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