Status of Content and Programming by Community Radio Stations in Kenya

Assessment of Baliti FM (Isiolo), Koch FM (Nairobi) and
Ekialo Kiano (Homa Bay)

Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET)
March, 2014
Title
Status of content and programming by Community Radio
stations in Kenya.
Dates of research
March, 2014
Lead researcher
Nyangori Ohenjo, media policy expert
Review and coordination
Njuki Githethwa, Kenya Community Media Network
(KCOMNET)
Acknowledgment
This report to assess the status of content and programming
by Community Radio stations in Kenya was done with the
support of HIVOS-Kenya Media Programme through the
Department for International Development (DFID).
KCOMNET 2014. All rights served
The ideas and opinions expressed in this publication are those
of the author; they are not necessarily those of KCOMNET
and do not commit the Organization.
Design and layout: Amos Ochieng/KCOMNET
Cover picture: KCOMNET/Amos, Baliti FM, Isiolo county, 2014
Kenya Community Media Network
st
Shalom House, off Ngong Road, St. Daniel Comboni Rd. Wing C, 1 Floor
P. O Box 2641 - 00100 Nairobi
Tel: +254 202379949; Mobile: +254 725262623
E-mail: info@kcomnet.org
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
1 Understanding community radio ................................................1
1.1 Background ..................................................................... 1
1.2 What is the difference between community and
commercial radio stations? .................................................... 3
1.3 Community radio as a medium for communication for
development.......................................................................... 8
2
Community radio content status in Kenya ...............................11

2.1 Introduction ................................................................... 11
2.2 Why the assessment of community radio content and
programming ....................................................................... 15
2.2.1 Previous studies on community radios content and
programming...............................................................................15
2.3 Content and programming assessment survey design ......24
Study Findings: A brief analysis of content quality and

programming ..............................................................................26
3.1 General observations ..................................................... 26
3.2
EKIALO KIONA ASSESSMENT FINDINGS .......... 32
3.2.1
Background, Station Identity and Policy ..................33
3.2.2
Programming and Content .........................................34
3.2.3
Content Quality ..........................................................35
3.2.4
ICT................................................................................37
3.2.5
Sustainability ...............................................................38
3.2.6
Focussed group discussion ........................................39
3.2.7
Conclusion ..................................................................41
3.3
KOCH FM ASSESSMENT ...................................... 43
3.3.1
3.3.2
3.3.3
ICT................................................................................50
3.3.4
Sustainability ...............................................................51
3.3.5
Focussed Group Discussion ......................................52
3.3.6
Conclusion ..................................................................53
3.4
BALITI FM ASSESSMENT ..................................... 55
3.4.1
3.4.2
3.4.3
ICT................................................................................61
3.4.4
Sustainability ...............................................................61
3.4.5
Focussed Group Discussion ......................................63
3.4.6
Conclusion ..................................................................65
THE WAY FORWARD ENHANCING THE CAPACITIES OF

COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS IN KENYA TO DEVELOP
BETTER CONTENT AND PROGRAMMING ...........................67
Executive Summary
This assessment was done to determine the level of quality

content at the community radio stations in Kenya, as well as
the key determinants of this content quality, with the aim of
informing interventions to address the identified challenges
or gaps at the various targeted radio stations. The assessment
is part of a project to strengthen the capacities of community
radio stations in Kenya better their content, and hence
develop the much needed identity, funded by Hivos, through
its Kenya Media Programme. In developing this report, a
desk review summarizing key findings from the recent
assessment reports on the kind of content and programming
being carried out by community radio stations in Kenya was
done, as well as a sample of actual practice on the content
and programming by three partner community radio stations:
Baliti FM (Isiolo), Koch FM (Nairobi) and Ekialo Kiano (Homa
Bay)
The report is presented in four major sections. Section 1,
Understanding Community Radio, lays the theoretical
foundations on which community media, and hence
community radio operates. This is important given the
misconceptions around community and commercial media
in Kenya, and the tendency for all vernacular radio
stations/media to be branded community radio/media. This
section also looks briefly at the history of community radio in

Kenya from 1982 to present. Section 2, Community Radio
Status in Kenya gives a brief overview of previous studies of
community radio content in Kenya. The literature review
undertaken, which is reported in this section, generally
reveals that over time, the community radios in Kenya has
been facing challenges in producing good quality radio.
Section 3, Study Findings: A brief Analysis of the content
quality and programming is a report of field study that
encompassed in depth one on one interviews and focused
group discussions with select staff at 3 radio stations (Koch
FM in Nairobi, Ekialo Kiona FM in Mfangano Island and
Baliti FM in Isiolo). The last section, The way forward
Enhancing the capacities of community radio stations in
Kenya to develop better content and programming gives
practical recommendations on what needs to be undertaken
to address the challenges and gaps that have been outlined,
to enable the community radio stations in Kenya leave to
their billing.
Each with key indicators the recommendations include:

a. Enabling a clear understanding of the concept,
identity, principles, ethics and regulatory and policy
of community radio
b. Enabling a clear understanding of the concept of
communication for development (C4D) among the
staff of community radio stations
c. Training on programming, content gathering, research
skills, scripting, sound editing, production and
presentation skills.
d. Enabling a better comprehension of gender
mainstreaming amongst the community radio staff
e. Strengthening the use of social media
f. Institutionalise audience surveys and feedback
mechanisms, and
g. Sustainability strategies (social, institutional and
financial)
It is hoped that this report will contribute positively to
community media discourse, not only in Kenya, but also in
Africa.
1 Understanding community radio
1.1 Background
The origin of community media defines its type of content
and programming; it should be enlightening and liberating,
to enable communities effectively participate in development
discourse and actions, within their own unique situations.
Indeed, local content production is the backbone of
community media. Listeners value the diversity of content
presented and that such programs are often unavailable via
other media.1 Community generated content can enrich
unique cultural values through a bold approach to creativity
not dependent on ratings or commercial values. Over the
time, however, community media, which has been a tool for
enabling communication for development, has been known
by different descriptions including behaviour change
communication,
participatory
communication,
communication for social change, health change among
many other names.2
In developing countries, community radio is one of the
community media that has the potential to act as a platform
Community Broadcasting and Media 2015 p 3

See Discussing C4D and its relevance to our communities by Njuki Gitethwa
at http://prezi.com/elupgi66-cga/communication-for-development-c4dpresentation/ accessed on21st February 2014
2
for social change particularly in marginalised areas.3 It has

the capacity to provide a voice for the voiceless and to
lobby and advocate for change on behalf of its
constituency.4This is because it can reach communities at the
end of the development road very poor communities,
people who live in areas without phones or electricity...
those who cannot read or write...5. It is estimated there are
over 800 million radios in sub-Saharan Africa.6 To the poor,
research has shown, radio listenership is dominant and
cheaper, and has been enhanced by radio receivers in many
rural homes and in public transport as well as increased use
of mobile phones that receive radio signals.7
Kenya is credited as being the home of Africas first
community station Homa Bay Community Radio.8 Started
by the government in 1982, Homa Bay Community Radio
broadcast development messages in the Luo language from
the shores of Lake Victoria in Nyanza Province.9 At the time,
Kenya was a one-party state, and fearing an independent
3
White, G., (2012), Empowering local radio with ICTs in South Africa and
Lesotho Radio needs assessment and survey. UNESCO & Media and
Training Centre for Health, p 8.
4
Ibid
5
Sullivan, B., (2011) African farm radio research initiative: how ICTs are
changing rural radio in Africa - the new age of radio, Farm Radio
International, p 5
6
Ibid
7
See UNESCO, Empowering Local Radio Stations with ICT at
https://en.unesco.org/radioict/countries/kenya. Visited on 21st October 2013
8
Fairbairn, J., (2009) Poised for Growth-Community Radio in Kenya in 2009
(a report for the Open Society Initiative for East Africa). Developing Radio
Partners & the Kenya Community Media Network, p 1
9
Ibid
voice the same government dismantled the station after

only two years, in 1984. After the return of multi-party
democracy, and with constant pressure, the government
loosened its grip on broadcasting, leading to the birth of
Radio Mangelete which went on air in 2004 and still
survives.10
1.2 What is the difference between community and

commercial radio stations?
The main difference between community and commercial
media, it could be argued, is the focus on profit-making
model. Overall, community media, and hence community
radios, operate on four main pillars (principles) which are
community
ownership/control,
community
service,
community participation, and non profit business model11.
On the other hand, commercial media operate on the main
pillar of making profit for the proprietor(s), with little on no
community participation and ownership; they exist majorly
for commercial gain purposes. While community media may
generate income, therefore, through advertising and
programme sponsorship, such revenue is used wholly for
purposes of sustaining the radio station, as opposed to
declaring and sharing dividends amongst the shareholders.
Moreover, given the fact that commercial media is majorly
defined by its existence to make profits for the owners,
decision making structures are therefore narrowed down to
10
Ibid
Buckley, S., et al, (2007). Broadcasting, voice and accountability a public
interest approach to policy law and regulation, University of Michigan Press p
212
11
the owners through the directors, limiting participation of the

community in not only decision making but also in
programming and content sourcing this is purely done at
the discretion of the management of the specific media
house.
For community radio stations, through ownership or control,
the community within which the radio operates must have a
say in what content is developed and how it is developed.
This could entail ownership by the community12 through
registered groups and or through influencing of content
through community advisory committees that represent the
diverse interests in the community, which directly leads to
ensuring that the radio serves community interest (the second
pillar). According to the World Association of Community
Broadcasters (AMARC) community broadcasting is local,
non-profit, participatory broadcasting with a development
agenda.13Community participation is denoted by ownership
of the station and or control of the content development,
including actual involvement in generating and developing
content through programmes in a variety of ways.14
This clarification is important from the onset since there has
been debate around what exactly constitutes community
12
CKK regulations
Op cite 3 pv
14
Communities can participate through call in and texting during interactive
live shows, be the source for news of programme themes and topics, offer
feedback on programmes, directly develop and produce their own
programmes to be aired/broadcast, suggest topics of discussion or
programmes amongst other ways
13
media, and by extension, community radio. For instance,

Homa Bay Community Radio which established in May 1982
through a joint initiative of UNESCO and the Government of
Kenya has been hailed as the first community radio station in
Africa.15Operating on 10 watt transmitter and related
broadcasting equipment of a total of less than US$ 25,000, it
was staffed by local people who were given training on how
to use the equipment, and the station began broadcasting for
two hours a day.16 This station was later closed down by the
government, leading to questions around the principle of
ownership of community radios. After this experiment by the
government, the next most notable community radio to be
established in the history of Kenya is Radio Mangelete, in
Makueni County, which was initiated by 33 women groups
to address which started broadcasting on 26th February
2004.17
Today, there are a number of radio stations operating as
community radio, including those owned by government
through Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and
Meteorological Department, academic institutions like
Kenyatta University, Daystar University, Masinde Muliro
University, Kenya Institute of Mass Communication amongst
others, and those owned by private business enterprises
15
Njuki Gitethwa (2010)Milestones, challenges and proposals in the

development of community radio in Kenya-A Discussion Paper presented at
the AUF ACDM meeting on 21st February, 2010 as a framework of
discussions and a guide to further action.
16
Ibid p2
17
Ibid p3
which broadcast in vernacular languages like Royal Media

owned radio stations.There are also those owned by
community based organisations (CBOs)/ Non Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) or community members like the
Mtaani FM (Nairobi), Pamoja FM (Nairobi), Mwenendu FM
(Coast) and Baliti FM (Isiolo).This mix up in identification of
what constitutes community radio has been as a result of
different criteria of classification by different institutions
namely, OSIEA, ACDM, CCK and KCOMENT/ENA. 18The
Media Council of Kenya (MCK) on its part mainly uses the
Kenya Community Media Network list as well as the CCK
one.19
The current confusion about defining the community radios
in Kenya has led to some radio stations, which could be
community in nature, to be identified as commercial or
vernacular, on the one hand, with a number of commercial
vernacular stations on the other, being identified as
community radios. According to CCK for instance, in 2008,
the listed community radio stations were Mangelete
Community (Kibwezi), Koch FM (Korogocho), Pamoja
Development (Kibera), SIDAREC (Pumwani), Bondo
Community Center (Ndori), Maseno University (Maseno),
Daystar University (Athi River), St. Pauls University (Limuru),
Baraton University (Eldoret), Masinde Muliro, University
(Kakamega), Kenyatta University (Thika Rd) and KIMC
(Nairobi). On the other hand, radio stations like Ghetto
18
Ibid p4
E-Mail Interview with Victor Bwire, Deputy Chief Executive
Officer/Programmes Manager, Media Council of Kenya, 29th January 2014.
19
FM,(Registered as SIDAREC) and Pamoja Radio, which could

easily describable as community radio stations, miss out from
the list, meaning that they could have been registered as
commercial or private radio stations.20
The clarification of this mix-up is important especially
because after the 2007/8 post-election violence in Kenya,
some of the vernacular FM stations were accused of fanning
the violence by broadcasting divisive politics and messages,
and thus inciting anarchy21; the raging debate on the role
that vernacular FM stations played in stoking the violence has
encapsulated community radios unrelentingly contributing to
the misconception between commercial vernacular radio
stations and community radio stations22. This even led to the
threat by the Ministry of Information to shut up all
community
stations.23
Other
research,
however,
differentiated between stations holding commercial licences,
and those holding community licences, and found that
community radio stations played a commendable role24.
20
Communications Authority of Kenya registers radios in three categories

namely Private, Public or Community
21
Op Cite 8 p 10
21
Ochieng, P and Githethwa, N., (2012) Empowering local radio with ICTs in
Kenya: radio needs assessment and survey. KCOMNET, Nairobip 22
22
Just because some community radios address a particular community for
example, the Kikuyu or Kalenjin in their own language, does not qualify them
as community radios.
23
Fairbairn, J., (2009) Poised for Growth-Community Radio in Kenya in 2009
(a report for the Open Society Initiative for East Africa). Developing Radio
Partners & the Kenya Community Media Network, p 11
24
Ibid
1.3 Community radio as a medium for

communication for development
Development
communication
(communication
for
development) has been defined as the process of
intervening in a. strategic manner with media aimed at
reaching a consensus for action for the purpose of positive
social change that takes into account the interests, needs and
capacities of all concerned. The change could be economic,
personal, spiritual, social, cultural, or political.25
Communication for development focuses on relevant content
and participation of the people in the design, development
and broadcasting of the messages/content. It also provides
avenue for feedback, and hence a chance for improving of
the programmes, as well as learning through sharing.
Through this model, development has thus increasingly used,
among others, community media, including radio, as a
communication channel to achieve its goal of positive social
change.
Founded on virtually the same principles, community radio,
thus has a significant role to play to contribute to
development and social progress of the community. This is
done by involving the people in all the aspects of the
management and production of programmes. Programming
and content development in community radio, therefore,
develops a particular conception of information,
25
McPhail (Ed), T. L.,(2009) Development Communication: Reframing the

Role of the Media. Blackwell Publishing Ltd p3
entertainment and education that targets change and

community development. In contrast to commercial media,
the information in a community radio is not treated as an
isolated or single event but an integral part of an ongoing and
evolving process, which supports change and development.26
For the purposes of this assessment, the following definition
of community broadcasting, community radio being part of
it, will be used:
Community broadcasting ... (is) independent
broadcasting that is provided by and for the members
of a community in a particular geographical location
or belonging to a particular community of interest. Its
primary purpose is to deliver social benefit and not to
operate for private commercial profit. It should be
owned by and accountable to the community that it
seeks to serve and it should provide for participation
by the community in the making of programmes and
in management. There should be no a priori or
unreasonable limitations on the extent of coverage,
transmission power, or nature of community to be
served.27
It is within this foregoing context that this assessment of
community radio content in Kenya was done, with focus on
Baliti FM (Isiolo), Koch FM (Nairobi) and Ekialo Kiona
26
Op Cite 25
Buckley, S., et al, (2007). Broadcasting, Voice and Accountability A
public interest Approach to policy law and regulation, University of Michigan
Press pp 212
27
Community Radio (Mfangano Island, Homabay). The main

consideration in having the three radio stations was
geographical; two rural and one urban radio station.
10
2 Community radio content status in Kenya

2.1 Introduction
The ability of community radio to act as an agent of change
is clearly demonstrated by the experience of Mangelete
community served by Radio Mangelete. In an impact
assessment survey, the Chairperson of the womens group of
Ivingoni village observed:
The radio has created a very good feel about
ourselves I am saying this with particular reference
to the status of women in our community. We might
not be rich or powerful. We might not even be
famous. However we have all over a sudden gained
recognition, starting from the family and household
level all the way up to the district and national
levels.28
This has been made possible through programmes conceived
with a vision of contributing to the reduction of poverty in
the Mangelete area of Makueni County through the use of
ICT by advocating for the provision of developmental
information to benefit the people of Mangelete especially the
poor and illiterate who lack adequate access to information. 29
Various programmes are aired which focus on a wide range
of subjects: promoting good governance, human rights and
28
Jallov, B., et al (2007). Impact assessment of East African community media

project 2000-2006: report from Radio Mangelete, Kenya, and selected
communities. Birgitte Jallov Communication Partners & SIDA p 4
29
Ibid p 14
11
democracy education, anti -corruption, HIV and AIDS,

gender education, rural development and poverty reduction
among others. The programmes drew a lot of listenership and
participation by the local poor people living in the Mangelete
area.30 This is because the radio addresses issues which
directly affect the people in their daily struggles to attain their
livelihoods.31
Community radios play a central role by providing a platform
for communication among members of local communities
and in addressing historical, current and anticipated issues of
concern within a particular community32. In Kenya,
community radios have been very instrumental in creating
awareness about social, economic and political issues that
affect the very fabric of society, especially within the local
community. Most opinion leaders (feel) that the radios (have)
a great positive impact to the communities especially on
community development issues33.It is for this reason that
content and programming becomes the spinal cord of any
community radio station. This is because it is through the
content, and how it is delivered (programming),that the radio
station is able to act effectively as the agent of change and
development. This is enabled through programming
broadcast content into formats that are more of engaging,
30
Ibid p 14
Ibid p 14
32
UNESCO (2012). Empowering community radios with ict: baseline survey
on listening habits and local public concern of listeners and potential listeners
in Kenya. Kentel & UNESCO, Nairobip9
33
Ibid p 9
31
12
interactive, interesting and attractive, rather than based on

one way channel of communication, and in the process
catalysing the community to take a more central role in
initiating and managing change that will achieve their
development.
Kenyan communities that are generally served by community
radio stations are faced by serious social and economic
challenges but as recent studies34 in Kenya suggest, these
radios have weak capacities in content development and
programming, negatively impacting on their role as agents of
social change35.In areas where community radios broadcast,
many listeners list agriculture, health, peace building,
environmental conservation, human rights, culture and
traditions, leadership and governance, land rights and civil
education36 as issues of concern. The 2012 study by
UNESCO on listening habits revealed that a high percentage
of listeners in the communities for ... community radios
within their respective signal coverage areas: It revealed that
84.62% ... (were) actual listeners of Hundhwe FM37; 61.29%
listened to Mangelete community radio which broadcasts in
Kamba with the audience in its broadcast footprint able
access other radio stations, including Musyi FM, Mbaitu FM
and ATG all which broadcast using Kamba ... (as well as)
34
Op Cite note 24
Op cite note 24 p 29
36
Op Cite Note 34
37
Radio Hundhwe FM ( 98.1) is located in Ndori town in Rarieda District,
Bondo County. Hundhwe FM signal covers a population of over 650,000
people. The radio broadcasts in Luo (the local language) Listening habits pp20
35
13
KBC (Kiswahili and English), Radio Citizen, Milele FM, Radio

Jambo and Bahari FM38; 84.52% ...listen(ed) to Mugambo
Jwetu FM, despite the fact that residents within the broadcast
footprint have access to other radio frequencies, including
Muga FM, Kiss 100, Q-FM, Countryside FM, Mwariama FM,
Radio Citizen, Venus FM, Kameme FM, Meru FM, Farming
FM, Coro FM, KBC English service and KBC Kiswahili39; and
...83.87% listen(ed) to Mwanedu radio. 40 However, the
formats and quality of the programmes that are broadcast ...
are inadequate to tackle the myriad issues in a professional
and captivating manner41. Talk shows, live programmes and
continuous music programmes are the predominant modes of
presentation in the stations while pre-recorded programmes
38
Mangelete community radio is located at Nthongoni market, 14 kilometres

west of Mtito Andei town in Makueni County. The radio is owned, by
Mangelete Community Intergrated Development Project (MCIDP an
umbrella organization comprised of 33 women groups in Kibwezi district) on
behalf of the community. The radio started broadcasting in April 2004, with
the slogan wasya wa maendeeo (voice of development). See UNESCO
(2012). Empowering community radios with ict: baseline survey on listening
habits and local public concern of listeners and potential listeners in Kenya.
Kentel & UNESCO, Nairobi pp 44
39
Radio Mwanedu is located in Voi. The community within Radio Mwanedus
signal coverage area speak in various languages, including; Swahili, English
and Taita (Davidu and Sagala). The community prefers to communicate in
Swahili. See UNESCO (2012). Empowering community radios with ict:
baseline survey on listening habits and local public concern of listeners and
potential listeners in Kenya. Kentel & UNESCO, Nairobi pp 64
40
Mugambo Jwetu radio is located in Tigania West district in Meru county. It
was founded in 2008 and registered as a community based group. The radios
goal is to empower its target community through information technology. It
has a coverage radius of 30kilometers. See UNESCO (2012). Empowering
community radios with ict: baseline survey on listening habits and local public
concern of listeners and potential listeners in Kenya. Kentel & UNESCO,
Nairobi pp 81
41
Op cite note 24 pp 19
14
are few and scarce42. It has been pointed out for example,
that the capacity to generate and package high quality local
content that is relevant to local conditions and that offers
ideological diversity is lacking, as is the financing to train
practitioners.43
2.2 Why the assessment of community radio content

and programming
2.2.1 Previous studies on community radios content and
programming
Community radio stations in Kenya have not yet transformed
into a distinct broadcasting sector, with its own values,
ethics, practices and role.44 In 2009, an Open Society
Institute for Eastern Africa (OSIEA) report identified limited
programming skills and formats; stations broadcast mostly a
mix of call-in programmes, music and news (as the
commercial sector does)45 which could eventually be
attributed to the misconceptions in communities and in
Kenyan society more broadly about what community radio
stations are, and what they can and should achieve.46
42
Op Cite note 24 pp 19
ACDM, (2010). Community radio trends in Kenya , the challenges and
impact, ACDM, Nairobi, pp 51
44
Fairbairn, J., Rukaria, D., (2009). Poised for growth: community radio in
Kenya in 2009, a joint research project of Developing Radio Partners & the
Kenya Community Media Network, OSIEA, Nairobi. Executive summary
45
Ibid
46
Ibid
43
15
It is easily discernible from studies already done in Kenya

focusing on community radio stations, that content
development, while it plays a critical part and is recognised
by the audience as beneficial to them, is not developed in a
systematic and strategic manner, but rather in an ad hoc way.
For instance, the Radio Mangelete impact assessment reveals
that by the time of the assessment, the programme schedule
was developed to respond to the needs, life rhythms and
interests already known by the staff, the local management
committee and the coordinating organization (Econews)and
not as a result of any systematic audience research process
initially.47This might not have immediate impact on the
quality of delivery of programmes, as long as good and
dedicated staff at any one given time stay on board a radio
station, but it generally as long term impact of affecting
sustainability as the Station progressively experiences
turnover, since in most cases, there would be lacking
documentation of institutional memory to carry on the work
of the idea incubators. For the community radio stations to
be effective, therefore, they need to improve the participation
and engagement of their audiences and other stakeholders in
the development and delivery of programmes to match the
audience needs for information and preferences in their
programming and editorial work.48
Better content and programming, therefore, would lead to a
distinct community radio identity in Kenya and limit negative
47
48
Op Cite note 30 p 31
Op Cite note 34
16
competition between community stations. It would also open

the way to more textured understandings of community radio
and community in Kenya. 49 This assessment is a part of
this process, as it will guide a one year project by Kenya
Community Media Network (KCOMNET) to sustain the
identity of community radio in Kenya through generation of
community based content and programming.
In all studies done on community radios in Kenya, there
seems to be a general consensus that community radios are
facing challenges in developing quality content and
programming, hence stifling their growth and development,
into a distinct broadcast area. Some of these studies include,
but are not limited to:
1. Milestones, challenges and proposals in the
development of community radio in Kenya (A
Discussion Paper presented at the AUF ACDM
meeting on 21st February, 2010 as a framework of
discussions and a guide to further action) by Njuki
Githethwa
2. Community trend in Kenya, the challenges and impact
(A research report by the African Community
Development Media ACDM) 2010
3. How ICTs are changing rural radio in Africa The
new age of radio, by Farm Radio International 2011
49
Ibid
17
4. Empowering Local Radio with ICTs in Kenya: Radio

Needs Assessment and Survey by Patrick Ochieng &
Njuki Githethwa of KCOMNET in 2012
5. Poised for Growth Community Radio in Kenya in
2009 ( a report for the Open Society Initiative for East
Africa done jointly by Developing Radio Partners &
the Kenya Community Media Network in 2009 and
6. Empowering Local Radio with ICTs In South Africa
and Lesotho Radio Needs Assessment and Survey by
Media and Training Centre for Health in 2012.
All these studies have commonly identified poor quality
content and programming as one of the key challenges that
the community radios in Kenya face. It could thus be argued
that one of the reasons for some vernacular radio stations
being confused for community radios is the lack of a clearly
distinctive content and programming for community radio in
Kenya. Community radio stations in Kenya do not perceive
themselves as being part of a distinct broadcasting sector,
with its own values, ethics, practices and role. 50For instance,
an OSIEA report of 2009 identified limited programming
skills and formats stations broadcast mostly a mix of call-in
programmes, music and news (as the commercial sector
does)51 which could eventually be attributed to the
misconceptions in communities and in Kenyan society more
broadly about what community radio stations are, and what
they can and should achieve.52Many community radio
50
Ibid
Ibid
52
Ibid executive summary
51
18
stations for instance, face staffing challenges especially lack

of training and turnover due to a weak financial base; in spite
of this, available evidence suggests that many staff who work
for these radio stations are very conscious of their lack of
radio management and broadcast capacity, 53 they are
positive about their work they really enjoyed it and came
to the station for the love of it. They learn from other radio
stations and from each other.54
Weak human resource capacity could thus be explained to
be one of the reasons behind poor quality community radio
programmes in Kenya hindering them from developing fully
and sustainably into distinctive community radio content
providers. To address this and other gaps, there is, therefore,
the need to support staff capacity building as a way of
ensuring that community radio stations act as the drivers in
social change development through quality production of
community based radio programmes.
Development of a Kenyan community radio identity would
enrich the media environment, work against negative
competition between community stations, build values,
ethics and standards and enable stations to learn from each
other. It would also open the way to more textured
understandings of community radio and community in
Kenya 55 This study is a part of this process, as it will guide a
53
Ibid p 16
Ibid p 28
55
Ibid
54
19
one year project by Kenya Community Media Network

(KCOMNET) to sustain the identity of community radio in
Kenya through generation of community based content and
programming.
This report is a result of sampling the current content and
programming of Baliti FM (Isiolo), Ekilao Kiona FM
(Mfangano), and Koch FM (Nairobi) on the kind of content
and programming and their engagement with target
communities. In order to contribute to the main objective of
supporting capacity building for quality community content
and programming, the study will have a specific focus on the
capacity needs that these stations need so as to develop a
capacity building strategy, for them, and eight other
community stations in Kenya.
The assessment was informed by the reality that quality of
content developed and programming for community radio is
generally determined by a number of factors. These include:
1. Mission, Vision and Value statements of the radio
station hence the station philosophy: a clear and well
understood vision and mission is necessary for a good
framework that would enable adequate and effective
programmes to be achieved to support and enhance
community development.
2. Structured audience involvement in various levels of
programming and content development: There is need
for the realisation that listeners and members of the
20
community are not only the sources of materials for

the programmes but should be the drivers in the
development and production of community based
radio programmes. Most community radio stations
have relegated them to mere consumers of radio
programmes in effect demotivating them from the
feeling of ownership and responsibility of the
community radio.56
3. Training and skills development of the staff and

volunteers. During a 2008 workshop on the way
forward for community radios in Africa 57, organised
by EcoNews Africa, UNESCOs Eastern Africa
Regional Communications Office and BBC World
Service Trust (Kenya and Somalia Office), one of the
recommendations was training and curriculum
development for community radio practitioners and
networks. In community radios, Volunteers have
always been an indispensable part of the community
radio sector worldwide. In line with the (required)
participatory nature of the medium and the modest
financial means of most stations, recruiting volunteers
from the community seems to be the best option58.
56
See The way forward for community radios in Kenya proceedings of the
national seminar held in Nairobi on 25th to 26th June 2008Proceedings of the
national seminar held in Nairobi
58
Pavarala,V., et al (2013) Community radio continuous improvement toolkit.
Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia, New Delhi
57
21
Training these volunteers is thus critical in ensuring

sustainable quality programme content and
development. One of the biggest challenges in the
area of community media, and hence community
radio, is that even conventional training does not
often adequately prepare media professionals for
community content programming, with existing
evidence suggesting that even where some staff have
a semblance of media training, unpackaging
community media and hence radio programming and
content has remained a challenge. This brings in the
question of whether there is need for a dedicated
training package and platform for community media,
especially broadcasting, as a means of ensuring a
sustainable roll out of human resource that is well
quipped with community broadcasting skills.
4. Gender mainstreaming: In many poor communities,
women who are the drivers of the economy and
hence family and community development, are often
voiceless and as it has been discovered59 are often left
out radio programming and content development. For
instance, in Isiolo County whose 72.6 per cent of the
countys population of 143,294 is poor60 with women
and youth characterising the face of the poverty.
Predominantly occupied by pastoralists, pastoralist
women are very critical to the overall pastoral
59
60
Op Cite Note 24
Kenya integrated household baseline survey 2011
22
economy since the pastoral economy, which employs

directly and indirectly about 56 percent of the adult
labour force, is actually more dependent on pastoralist
women than men and while there has been
considerable movement in enacting pastoralism
friendly policy and development actions, there is still
lack of visibility of the pastoralist woman in these
initiatives. There is, therefore, the need for community
radio stations to play effectively the role of community
educators on gender and women empowerment. This
can be done through the production of radio
programmes tackling hard issues on gender biases and
discrimination that might be uncomfortable to some
members and sectors of the community61. Current
practice,
however,
strongly
suggests
that
...community... radio programming is still driven by
community held gender biases, discrimination and
attitudes that support patriarchy62.
5. Financial sustainability to enable quality content
development. Koch FM, for instance, is facing that
challenge of inability to development a consistent
programmes schedule as many workers running the
radio programmes are volunteers who drop out from
the station when gainful employment is available
elsewhere.63 This is the same problem witnessed and
61
Op Cite note 24 p21
63
Op Cite Note 59 p 42
62
23
shared by Radio Mangelete when it observed that

Since these community radio stations are non profit
making projects and often times are run by volunteers,
they end up loosing their most talented workers who
are poached by commercial radio stations which are
better paying and sustainable64. Moreover, funding
support of the programmes has been a problem. The
issue of structured government support may need to
be revisited, especially borrowing from the Australian
content development model for community
broadcasting.
2.3 Content and programming assessment survey

design
The content assessment survey for this assignment has been
divided into two major sections:
1. A desk review summarizing key findings from the
recent assessment reports on the kind of content and
programming being carried out by community radio
stations in Kenya; and
2. A sample of actual practice on the content and
programming by three partner community radio
stations: Baliti FM (Isiolo), Koch FM (Nairobi) and
Ekialo Kiano (Homa Bay)
64
Op cite note 59 p 39
24
The second section, which involves actual travel and

interviewing of key responded is thus the focus of this
section. The assessment approach will be mainly qualitative,
which is more suitable as it enables in depth discussions,
descriptions and interpretations from the selected
respondents within the short period of the assessment from
which findings, conclusions and recommendations will be
drawn. For the actual assessment at the three identified
stations, structured questionnaires were be used, but there
was also allowance for probing and in-depth discussions,
observation of the respondents and the environment within
which the stations operate. The interviews were done in two
phases; one on one interviews with staff and volunteers at
the stations, and one focussed group discussions to probe
more on areas of vision, values, teamwork and teambuilding
amongst other relevant aspects that may influence
programming. The interview questionnaires were broadly
guided by the identified 5 factors impacting on content and
programming at community radio stations. The assessment
was carried out in January and February 2014 and thus the
findings reflect the status of content and programming at
identified partner community radio stations as at that time.
The findings and recommendations are structured into two
levels: 1) Overall findings and recommendations for all the
stations and 2) Stations specific findings and
recommendations at the conclusion of the in depth report
from each station.
25
3 Study Findings: A brief analysis of content

quality and programming
3.1 General observations
The three case study stations were observed to be generally
producing good content that is geared towards influencing
development in their respective communities.65 The three
radio stations generally operate in communities that
experience a high level of poverty and marginalisation, albeit
with different characteristics. Ekialo Kiona, to the West of
Kenya on Mfangano Island, mainly serves a fisher and agro
pastoralist community; Baliti FM broadcasts in areas
predominantly inhabited by pastoralists, but with some
population of crop farmers; while Koch FM broadcasts in an
urban slum. In all these areas, extreme levels of poverty is a
common denominator, hence the content that the radios
produce are generally geared towards awareness creation
and sensitisation on alternative livelihoods and socioeconomic activities, political governance and devolution as
well as to some extend, socio cultural themes.
The stations, through interviews and observation, were not
very well equipped with content production facilities and
facilities like computers, sound editing software, recorders,
65
At Baliti FM, as a result of one of their youth programmes, a group of

youths joined up to form a youth group and applied for funding to the
National Enterprise Fund. This was explained to the assessment team on the
sidelines of the assessment by one of the presenters, Mohammed Abdullahi.
26
mixers and internet. At Ekialo Kiona, there were a mobile

phone, two voice recorders, internet, computers equipped
with studio and broadcasting (which were not readily
accessible by the radio staff as they also served other
programmes for the CBO)66, and a live studio. There was no
recording studio/production studio. Baliti FM had a live
broadcasting studio, two mobile phones, a recording room,
one recorder, three computers with editing software. It had
no production studio. Koch FM had one recorder, a mobile
phone, a mixer and two computers. It is obvious that with
this limited equipment, against the number of staff at the
stations, production of quality content is constrained
significantly.
During the study, it was observable that there was a very low
level of understanding the concept of communication for
development amongst the stations staff. For these journalists
working everyday to influence positive social change, it is
important that they are able to clearly understand
communication for development, and be in a position to
design simple communication for development programmes
in their various areas of focus.
One common aspect at all the radio stations is that they are
staffed by a high numbers of young people67, many of them
66
Ekialo Kiona Radio is one of the Ekialo Kiona Centre programmes, hence
the facilities are shared.
67
During the in-depth interviews, of those interviewed at Baliti one was
between the age bracket of 25-30 years and two between 18-25; at Koch FM
to were between 25-30 years while two between 18-25 1; and at Ekialo
27
volunteers, who have moderate level of professional

qualifications, especially in the area of communication for
development. With this kind of capacity challenge, many of
them are finding it complicated to effectively develop and
format communication for development programmes and
content, and hence tend to lean towards the commercial
aspect of broadcasting. This significantly affects the quality of
content and programming at these stations.
The modest professional background contributes significantly
to challenges like poor knowledge of their audiences needs,
since they mostly do not undertake the audience surveys,
and hence ending up with programmes developed based on
personal preferences or biases of individual staff, through a
more or less trial and error method. Due to the lack of the
demographic characteristics of their audiences, their precise
socio-economic situations, and programme preferences, it
becomes difficult for any of the stations to then develop
content and programming policies geared towards the needs
and listening habits of the various target audiences as was
observed at the three stations; all of them did not have well
defined content and programming policies, and most did not
seem to have conducted proper audience surveys, before or
after going on air, even though all of them had programme
schedules.
Kiona. Two were between 30-35 years, while two were between 18-25years.
Focused Group Discussions had an average of 7 participants per radio station,
and by observation 6 were in all stations were below 30 years.
28
Gender mainstreaming was also weak in all the radio

stations. This could be attributed to lack of proper
understanding of the concept due to its complexity.
Generally across many of the staff, gender mainstreaming
was understood within the context of numbers rather than
the societal roles and hence stereotypes, sometimes negative,
assigned to particular gender in the different societies. The
chances that programmes hence end up being gender
insensitive, therefore, would be very high in such scenarios,
since then personal biases easily influence programming and
content development. This was the same observation for the
persons with disability and other marginalised groups like the
youth and persons living with HIV/Aids.
Social media has in the recent past evolved as a key tool for
enabling communication for development, especially for the
technology savvy audience. Today, virtually all media
institutions are on facebook, twitter, as well as using their
own websites to communicate their content. Hence while
the primary medium of community radio broadcasting is the
primary medium of content delivery, there is need to
seriously explore the use of social media, so as to reach out
to audience who may not have time to listen to the
programmes on radio at particular times due to unavoidable
reasons. At the stations, it was evident that there was little on
no use of social media like facebook pages, to interact with
the audiences that are accessible to them. While Baliti FM
had a facebook page for instance, it was not regularly
29
updated and integrated into programming. Moreover, none

of the stations had a web page.
Better understanding and effective use of radio broadcasting
equipment and facilities is another area that would need
attention. Community radio concept heavily depends on
community sourced content, and hence, packaging this
content, in the most attractive way possible is important if the
final product has to be of good quality. The understanding of
these equipment and facilities, as well as their use, will thus
enhance better formats of programmes, easy navigation
between the radio broadcast and social media content, as
well as better research and content development by the
journalists.
While the stations were not found to have serious challenges
with social sustainability68, since they mostly broadcast in
languages that were easily identifiable with the presumed69
target audience, the stations mostly seemed to be struggling
with institutional and financial sustainability. Institutionally,
the stations did not seem to have well defined and strong
structures, from the board of directors to the community
advisory groups. In most of the instances, it was clear that the
boards of directors only existed in name, probably to satisfy
68
Social Sustainability relates to community radios social acceptance to target

communities. It involves community ownership of the station, and
participation in production and airing of programming at both decision
making and operational levels
69
There was no clear indication that any audience survey to determine the
language and target audience was done hence the presumption
30
legal requirements. Boards that are active and have a strong

presence are necessary to support the radio stations, not only
with regards to policy development and approval, but also in
fundraising. This is particularly important as all the radio
stations were evidently struggling financially, and in some
situations, even the basic repair and maintenance of
equipment was a problem, with significant impact on
programming and content development.
31
3.2 EKIALO KIONA ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
32
3.2.1 Background, Station Identity and Policy

The radio station was established in July 2012, with the
objective of protecting the Suba Language from the threat of
extinction. It does thus broadcast mainly in Suba and Luo
languages. Other objectives of the station include promoting
the youth and empowering them with leadership qualities,
promoting environmental conservation; improve the socio
economic lives of the community members amongst others.
It is composed mainly of volunteers. The Station is an off
shoot of Ekialo Kiona Centre, a community based
organisation, and hence, managed as one of its programmes.
It has a Station Coordinator who acts as the Station Manager,
and hence coordinates all the administrative functions and is
also in charge of the on air content, and approves all the
programme scripts before they go on air.
The station does not have a strategic plan, meaning that the
programming, content development and fundraising to
sustain the programmes is not strategically guided. The
overall assessment is that there is limited awareness of what a
strategic plan is and its role within development
communication setting. Due to this limitation, it is apparent
that programming is not guided by a vision/mission and a set
of values; this makes it quite difficult to establish a station
identity and eventually determine the level of content
quality.
The station also lacks content/music policy, critical in
ensuring that the general principles of communication for
33
development are being met while developing content, and or

selecting music for playing. For this reason, most of the staff,
left alone, find it difficult to handle complex and sensitive
socio cultural situations that may arise, as they are not
properly guided;
All the Production/Editorial staff are volunteers, none with
formal media/journalism training. They have different levels
of academic attainment many of them below the form four
(Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) level.
3.2.2 Programming and Content
Broadcasting for 5 hours70 a day, its programmes range from
agricultural, HIV/aids, Human Rights, religious programmes
and Education. The Programme schedule was as a result of
the audience survey before the station went on air71. Some of
the staff are not informed of this. Further, there is no
established way of measuring audience survey; only the
number of texts and calls during programmes are recorded,
without the content of the calls or texts. While it was
apparent that there were some content complaints from the
audience, these are not recorded, hence difficult to establish
how they were dealt with in a formal manner.
70
The broadcasting time limited by lack of enough power for the transmitter,
as it uses solar
71
Interview with Otieno Karan, the Programmes Coordinator on 2 nd February
2013 at EK Centre. This is not shared amongst the staff, as some of them were
not aware of how the schedule was developed.
34
Most of the staff do not understand programming or content

formatting. However, most programmes are interactive lives
shows, within a few pre recorded programmes. In some
cases, live studio guests are used in programmes. However,
this formatting is more ad hoc rather than planned and
deliberate, with specific objectives with the audience.
The station has had a number of in house trainings, organised
by itself or their partners, to develop various skills for the
presenters. This has played a significant role in improvement
content quality, programme production and presentation
skills.
3.2.3 Content Quality
EK does not have a clearly set out mechanism for checking or
determining content quality, within the generally accepted
benchmarks. For instance, while it is evident that content is
sourced mainly from the community, there is no structured
policy that informs that balancing of community views and
expert opinion. In deed, most of the staff tended to out
rightly look at expert opinion as gospel truth, negating the
importance of community experience especially when
handling issues that are socio-culturally sensitive. Content
sourcing in itself is critical area that would need specific and
particular attention, particularly because content is one of the
key defining characteristics of community radio. At the time
of interviews the sourcing of content was mostly done in an
ad hoc manner, hence the probability of shifting from
community relevant content to other types of content. There
35
was no systematic way, for instance, of recording live

programmes, and hence pulling out relevant content
Further, there does not seem to be any visible guide on
consideration of gender and vulnerable groups in
programming. There is some evidence of involving men and
women, but it stops at this level, as there is no evidence to
suggest that issues of gender roles and how they affect
development, negatively or positively, are used to influence
content sourcing and formatting. This is critical because in
societies that are mainly patriarchal, the drowning of the
voice of women, or even strengthening negative stereo
typing is a strong possibility.
Being able to properly determine the relevance of the
content to the audience, which is tied to determining the
type of audience for particular programmes and hence
content are critical benchmarks for determining content
quality, which need strengthening within the radio station.
While the station broadcasts programmes that target different
audience segments, there is no clear indication of how this is
determined, and hence difficult to ascertain the level of
relevance of the content.
Most programmes seem to be conveniently broadcast,
though it appears that programme times could be easily be
changed due to a number of factors, including for instance an
abrupt appearance of an expert. This affects not only the
audience, but also the level of content detail, since such a
36
programme would be hurriedly put together and broadcast

impacting negatively on the content depth on a subject
matter.
Communication for development thrives best on involvement
of the community members in content production. This
serves to enable the ownership of the content by the
community and hence increase the chances of the
information influencing change in the particular community.
This is an aspect that was found to be lacking in Ekialo
Kiona, as the study established that only radio staff were
involved in the production process creating the need for
capacity building in this area.
Most EK programmes are interactive, but this seems to be
limited to call in and text messages. Different participatory
platforms need to be explored including facebook
interactions, twitter, use of emails, internet research and
focussed group discussions, as a way of not only diversifying
content sourcing, but also improving its quality especially
within the context of relevance of the content to the
audience.
3.2.4 ICT
Information, communication and technology tools and
facilities/equipment are critical for radio programming and
broadcasting. This means that the ability to easily identify
and flawlessly operate these facilities and equipment is
central to programming and content production. This study
37
established that the EK radio staff had basic skills in operating

equipment relevant to radio programming and content
production. However, there is a clear need for better training
and skills development to more innovatively utilise the
available facilities and equipment at the station for better
programming and content development.
EK, it was established, has the basic required ICT facilities
and equipment. However, there is need to add up to some of
these equipment and or facilities. For instance, the station
needs a few more voice recorders, as well as live
programmes recording software and equipment for better
sound capture and hence content. While EK is one of the
activities of the Ekialo Kiona Centre, there is need for
dedicated internet access points for the radio staff for better
content research, development and programming.
3.2.5 Sustainability
Socially, the station broadcasts in a Luo and Suba, informed
by the large population and the threat to the Suba language
respectively. Social sustainability is thus well grounded.
Institutionally, the station operates through the Board of
Ekialo Kiona Centre, which has the overall policy making
and direction mandate. It has, however, its own
Administrative Management, led by the Programmes
Coordinator and staff. Mention was made of Community
Radio Council, an equivalent of the community advisory
board, but its influence on content policy seems to be
diminishing; this needs to be revitalised and strengthened to
38
ensure that community involvement in content policy

development is enhanced and sustained.
Financially, the EK radio largely depends on support from the
Ekialo Kiona Centre. It also gets some income through some
adverts, announcements and sponsored programmes.
However, these seem to be on and off income streams hence
unsustainable in the long run. Quality content development
heavily depends on availability of sustainable financial
resources; innovative fundraising strategies for the station are
therefore required for the station to be able to effectively
support and sustain its content development and
programming function. This is especially important to ensure
retention of staff, since a lot of resources go into developing
their capacities; most of them joined the station without any
journalistic skills
3.2.6 Focussed group discussion
Most of the staff at Ekialo Kiona had not heard of
Communication for development, except one. This is
significant since, as a community radio station, the most
important aspect of programming and content development
is to inspire social change. As one of the staff members
remarked: the message that you deliver through radio can
change somebodys life. Nevertheless, the capacity to learn
was evident, as many of them had learnt radio production
and presentation skills while at the institution, mainly
through in-house trainings.
39
The biggest asset, it emerged was the commitment, passion

and drive that the staff at the station had, in spite of the
challenges that they did face. Teamwork was also evident, a
key component for communication for development. This
would significantly support the various capacities in areas
like content development and programming through learning
and sharing from each other, especially since they look upon
some of their fellow staff as their own role models in one
way or another. In which case, an institutional mentoring
programme could be explored for purposes of ensuring
institutional memory is maintained, especially as it is given
that some will leave, as others come in.
One of the key challenges that emerged was the
sustainability of programming and content development, as it
largely revolved around the team, without much of
involvement of the community, especially with regards to
issues surrounding culture and language. There would be
need to see more strategic involvement of the community,
especially elders in programming and content development,
particularly given that one very key objective of the station is
the preservation of the Suba language, which is under the
danger of extinction.
For effective capacity building, it was generally suggested
that Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET) steps up
its activities, and may be consider a stronger role, not only in
content development and programming, but also strategic
40
ways of supporting the organisations through challenges

related to sustainability.
3.2.7 Conclusion
Ekialo Kiona radio station probably seats at the best ever
positions to impact on development through communication
for development programmes. This is because it already has
a lot of source for content from the community, as well as
programmes run through the Ekialo Kiona Centre which
could easily be designed into communication for
development radio programmes. Given its relatively small
population, and hence the ability to capture the attention of
everyone on Mfangano Island, the station thus needs capacity
building in this type of content development, as well as
programme formatting to be of more use and benefit to the
developmental needs of the community. Most of the
programmes were also observed to be mainly live interactive
sessions with phone ins and texting, with a few occasions of
live studio interviews. The programmes thus need to be
developed to be more attractive and interesting by including
more formats, including social media use (website, facebook,
twitter for those at ease with them), discussion forums/panels,
and features documentaries, as well as vox pops.
Key areas that need support in capacity building therefore
are:
1. Strengthening communication for development
concept and the practical skills for designing such
programmes
41
2. Production skills including researching, interviewing,

sound editing skills
3. Radio programme formatting skills
4. Audience survey and analysis skills
42
3.3 KOCH FM ASSESSMENT
43

Koch FM is an off shoot of a community based organisation
and the first community owned ghetto radio in Kenya. It was
founded in 2006 by the youth from Korogocho.72All the staff,
including the volunteers have attained college education,
and most of them have training in media and journalism
(Mass Communication). There is, however, lack of clear
understanding amongst the staff if there is a strategic plan or
not; most of the staff have no clear grasp of what a strategic
plan is. There is, therefore, need to improve on the
communication
for development content gathering
(research, interviews, community involvement in production)
audio and video editing and policy analysis skills for better
community focused content development and programming
within the brackets of a well articulated strategic plan and
strategic objectives.
The stations objectives are not also uniformly shared across
the staffing, implying that content development is most
probably based more on personal judgement rather than a
clearly outlined stations content development and
broadcasting objectives. Amongst the objectives of the
station are creating a platform for community members to
discuss issues affecting them (act as the voice of the
voiceless); and, give an opportunity for young aspiring
journalists from the community an opportunity for hands on
training in radio journalism and broadcasting.
72
See http://kochfm.blogspot.com/ visited 9th June 2014
44
The Station also lacks institutionalised value system, meaning

that the staff are operating on individualised value systems,
hence probability of content development and programming
is not a systematic product of the Station value system. This
definitely affects the uniformity of decision making is
situations that tend to arise, as was evidenced through the
responses given to the case sensitivity question, where each
responded had their own individualised way of handling the
arising situation. An institutionalised Vision, Mission,
Objectives and Value system are important to streamline
editorial and programming decisions, hence giving the
station a clear content identity.
Finally the station does not seem to have a coherent music
and content policy, shared across the staff and the audience.
While it is the general principle that the station promotes
local music talent, there lacks a well stated policy on this.
We do not have a written policy, principles or guidelines;
the general practice, however, is that we give good time for
local and edutainment music. We as well have a special
programme that handles Korogocho, Kariobangi and
Dandora music that does not get airplay in the mainstream
media73. The need for a well spelt out content and music
policy is thus urgent, to assist in giving proper direction
towards effective programming and content development,
from a communication for development perspective.
73
Interview with Koch FM staff on 14th February 2014 at the station
45

Koch FM has a programme schedule for all its programmes,
but there is a clear lack of understanding amongst the staff if
this is fixed or flexible. Further, it is not very evident how the
schedule was developed hence its ownership within the staff
as well as the community is questionable. There is also a
clear lack of common understanding and knowledge of the
types of the programmes that the station runs amongst the
staff, which leads to the supposition that content
development and programming is not done uniformly but on
individual preferences and biases. Understanding the types of
programmes, whether they are features, documentaries, live
shows amongst others would assist in ensuring that content is
produced in a way that suits a particular type of programme
some type of content may not be suitable for some type of
programmes, hence the need for the staff to clearly have this
theoretical grounding from the beginning to enable them
make the most effective methods of content packaging. The
thematic focus of the programmes if nonetheless very well
understood and known amongst the staff. These range from
health, governance, religious, women empowerment,
children, entrepreneurship, promotion of local talent
amongst others.
Audience response and complaints capture and auctioning
are critical aspects of ensuring relevant content for the
audience. At Koch FM, however, this appears limited. The
audience response is limited to the number of calls that come
in during the programmes, hence it is impossible to know the
46
exact assessment or relevance of the broadcast content to the

audience, since the comments are not included in the data
capture. Further, while some content complaints, like some
of the broadcast content as bordering on incitement of the
public against the administration, there lacks a clear
complaints capture mechanism as well as a clear mechanism
for addressing these complaints within the hierarchy of the
station. According to the staff, there have been various types
of content complaints, but without records, it is difficult to
ascertain if these complaints have been addressed to the
satisfaction of the audience. Some listeners for instance have
called for more content on entrepreneurship, governance,
amongst other thematic areas, but if these have been
effectively addressed is not easily ascertainable.74
The main source of content at Koch FM is the community
members themselves, through various fora as well as call ins
or texting. There are also other sources that seem to be quite
clearly comprehended like internet, other radio TV stations,
research amongst others. Skills are still, however, required, as
already noted, for the proper formatting and broadcasting this
content in a more effective manner. Live programme
recording is also minimally done since it is only done when
there is a studio guest, meaning that a lot of content from the
other live shows is lost. This needs urgent attention as it is
one of the most viable source for content from the
community.
74
Interview with Koch FM staff on 14th February 2014 at the Station
47
Regarding relevance of content to the audience, there is

relatively good appreciation of getting feedback and
undertaking surveys. However, this does not appear to be
done in a systematic or methodological manner, which
means that again, it is mostly left to the presenters to
determine. The accuracy of content is also ensured through a
variety of ways but limited to internet research and prior
discussions with invited guests. One staff observed: ensuring
content accuracy is a real challenge especially for national
content since we depend on internet and listen to other
media stations meaning that in case it misreported then we
also do the same. There is thus the need for more skills
development amongst the staff on ensuring the content is
accurate and hence meaningful to the audience. Effective
programme planning skills are thus required to assist address
this shortcoming; it was observed that there lacks a
systematic way of programme planning as was observed by
one staff member: This is not formally; it depends on the
individual presenter. I do it daily since my programme is
always current affairs programme. In this scenario, chances
of presenting inaccurate content then increase.
Communication for development platform relies heavily on
community involvement in production. However, it emerged
that at Koch FM, community is completely not involved in
production. This would explain the preference for expert
opinion as the overriding opinion when weighted against
community views. The opposite might be true, hence the
need to develop techniques to involve the community more,
48
develop their confidence around the issues, since the

communities should actually be the experts of their
situations, and hence be in a much better position to offer
solutions, and hence own the processes towards resolving
the merging development concerns.
There is lack of evidence of who the target audience is as
different staff have different descriptions of the stations target
audience, meaning that it is impossible to clearly determine
whether the programmes are conveniently broadcast. There
is however evidence that efforts are made to make the
programmes entertaining through a mix of formats (phone ins
and texting, music, live interviews). Other methods or
strategies to enhance this however need to be explored.
Gender, youths and persons with disability are areas that still
need serious capacity building. Gender for instance, is
mainly understood as male or female, as opposed to the
societal roles assigned to women and men, hence their
influence and views of certain issues as well as listening
times. For instance, one staff member says: We have specific
programmes in terms of gender as we do a lot of features.
We also do a lot of features on disability; we do incorporate
them on news segment and other sensitisation programmes.
This statement reflects the general perception around taking
into consideration the aspect of gender, persons with
disability and other special groups in content development,
meaning that there is limited understanding around the issue
of roles, as well as challenges that these groups face, and
hence addressing them in content development in such a
49
way that these challenges are addressed. In spite of this

shortcoming, there is evidence that the listeners are actively
involved in programme presentation as explained by one
staff member: Some of them (listeners) are in organisations
so each week we approach the organisations for views and
the upcoming artistes to talk about their skills. We also do
conduct focused group discussions during community
outreach programmes from which we do get views that we
use during presentations. Some of the community members
also come in as live studio guests. This, however, could be
improved if the understanding of the different segments
could better be understood and hence their involvement
better structured for maximum impact.
3.3.3 ICT
Koch FM staff including volunteers are generally trained in
journalism, including have participated in a significant
number of in house trainings by various institutions or
organisations. Their ICT skills are, therefore, evident as they
are fairly able to operate and use radio related ICT
equipment and facilities, like the mixers, voice recorders,
internet, voice editing software amongst others. However,
there is still lack of competent knowledge of all the relevant
important equipment and facilities amongst the staff, an
indication that there is need for more in depth training
around this.
The station has the basic equipment for radio broadcasting.
However, there is need for more equipment like voice
50
recorders and computers to be acquired and regularly

serviced to enhance better content programming. There is
also need to avail internet services at the station which is
currently lacking.
There is no clear indication as to whether the station
officially broadcasts in Kiswahili or sheng as there were
varied responses from the staff on this. This needs clarity as
the type of audience is critical in determining the language of
broadcast and hence social sustainability of the station.
The financial sustainability of Koch FM is weak. While the
station is funded through the CBO programmes, as one of the
activities or department of the CBO, there needs to be a clear
framework that enables better support of the radio. Currently,
the Station does not broadcast commercial advertisements,
but this needs re exploring, since the law does not restrict
commercial radio stations from advertising. This is important,
since given its reach and the target audience, it has a rich
commercial marketing target audience, something that could
greatly support the financial sustainability of the station.
Quality content development heavily depends on availability
of sustainable financial resources; innovative fundraising
strategies for the station are therefore required for the station
to be able to effectively support and sustain its content
development and programming function. This is especially
important to ensure retention of staff, since a lot of resources
51
go into developing their capacities; most of them joined the

station without any journalistic skills
3.3.5 Focussed Group Discussion
During the focussed group discussion, the staff, mainly
volunteers and interns shared some success stories. For
instance, a programme focussing on circumcision of men
resulted in so many people turning up for the operation,
forcing the hospital that was conducting it to do it for two
days instead of the earlier planned one day. Also, the
community around the station generally being a slum
population, so many cases of lost children are reported, and
the station has played a key role in the finding of such
children. They however noted that most of the impacts go
unnoticed hence the need for a strategic and systematic way
of monitoring to ensure that all the impacts of the
programmes are documented, for purposes of building on
them as well as sharing out the best practices.
Generally, the staff are happy working at Koch FM as it
emerged from the FGD. Some of the staff enjoy the multi
tasking aspect of the community radio work (presenter,
anchor, reporter, and producer). Those who came in as
interns generally derive the satisfaction of progressing
vertically into volunteers. In deed, the current contracted staff
followed this path, which generally give hope and ambition
for the upcoming journalists. They content that the station
offers them the best opportunity for hands on experience.
52
For most of the staff, the passion of journalism is what drives

them. As one recounted, he secretly changed his course of
study at the University, to study journalism, instead of the
one his father had preferred and which he was initially
admitted for. Supporting this drive is the evidence that most
of them enjoy what they do; going on air which gives them a
sense of achievement, satisfaction and status. They are happy
working with the members of their communities, and
participating in solving the problems affecting them. This is
best captured by one of the staff: I enjoy working with the
people; their challenges are mine and I have gone to different
organisations to try and seek strategies to improve our living
standards. Most of them have also interacted with
communication for development, but more at a basic
theoretical level.
One important aspect that was evident is that different staff
had role models amongst their own colleagues due to various
reasons. However, it was not evident that they are given
ample opportunities to be able to benefit from these role
models by way of improving their journalistic skills. It
actually appeared that these role models were actually only
secretary admired. There could be need to develop strategies
through which this strength could be used for mentoring
purposes.
3.3.6 Conclusion
Generally, Koch FM is doing a very good job of supporting
the community development considering the limitations that
it is operating in. There is a lot of resilience by the staff, self
53
motivation and drive that have largely been the backbone to

proper and relevant content development to date. The
existing strengths should be built on, and capacity building
on content development would therefore go a long way on
enabling tapping into this drive, passion and motivation of
the staff of the station. As this is done, there is also need for
due attention be given to some of the critical challenges/
weaknesses as they directly impact on content development.
Some of the challenges that were noted during this study
include:
1. The apparent limited interaction between the
administration and the staff meaning that issues
around policies are not very well spelt out
2. There is need for general strengthen of administrative
structures, including a strong presence and
involvement of a community advisory council to
ensure relevant and quality content is achieved
3. There is need to develop and strengthen the theory
and practice of communication for development
amongst the staff to facilitate better community radio
content gathering, production and broadcasting
4. There is need to ensure that the basic equipment and
facilities for content development and formatting is
available and serviced.
54
3.4 BALITI FM ASSESSMENT
55

Baliti FM broadcasts in Isiolo County. Having gone on air in
July 2013, it was not yet a year old by the time of this
assessment. It is a community radio station for Isiolo County,
which is largely cosmopolitan with drought, flooding,
poverty, cattle rustling and conflict challenges. The station is
largely staffed with volunteers, all of them at least with form
four level of education, but lacking significant journalism
training. Given short period of existence, the station staff are
understandably uninformed on the station vision and
mission, as well as the station objectives. This definitely has a
bearing on the content sourcing and programming,
particularly from a communication for development platform.
The general understanding of the station objectives revolves
around educating the community on their rights; informing
the community of what is happening around them; informing
the community on leadership and governance; and informing
the community about climate change amongst others. There
are no shared objectives, however, and a quick assessment of
those mentioned is that they are very general, hence difficult
to measure achievement over time.
The Station also lacks institutionalised value system, meaning
that the staff are operating on individualised value systems,
hence probability of content development and programming
is not a systematic product of the Station value system. This
definitely affects the uniformity of decision making is
situations that tend to arise, as was evidenced through the
56
responses given to the case sensitivity question, where each

responded had their own individualised way of handling the
arising situation. An institutionalised Vision, Mission,
Objectives and Value system are important to streamline
editorial and programming decisions, hence giving the
station a clear content identity.
Finally while the station does seem to have a coherent music
policy, there is lacking a definitely identifiable programme
content policy, shared across the staff and the audience.
While it is the general principle that the station promotes
local music talent, there lacks a well stated policy on this.
Baliti FM has a programmes schedule which is fixed with a
number of programmes spread across the day to cater for the
two languages, Kiswahili and Borana that it broadcasts in.
However, this schedule was not as a result of an audience
survey, meaning that the general acceptability and eventual
ownership of the programmes might to be 100 per cent
certain. The staff have a fairly good grasp of the thematic
focus of the programmes, but there is a clear lack of
knowledge of the type of programmes that the station runs.
This leads to the supposition that content development and
programming is not done uniformly but on individual
preferences and biases. Understanding the types of
programmes, whether they are features, documentaries, live
shows amongst others would assist in ensuring that content is
produced in a way that suits a particular type of programme
some type of content may not be suitable for some type of
57
programmes, hence the need for the staff to clearly have this
theoretical grounding from the beginning to enable them
make the most effective methods of content packaging. The
thematic focus of the programmes range from youth,
agriculture, livestock marketing, education, social issues,
culture, devolution, governance and leadership, women
rights and role models.
As part of programme content improvement, the station has
instituted a complaints capture mechanism, which allows for
a more strategic and formalised system handling of the
complaints, ensuring relevant content for the audience.
The main source of content at Baliti FM is the community
members themselves, through various fora as well as call ins
or texting. There are also other sources that do not seem to
be quite effectively utilised like internet, other radio TV
stations, research amongst others. Skills are, therefore,
required for the better content sourcing and more effective
formatting and broadcasting this content. Live programme
recording is normally done but there is little evidence of this
recording being used as a strong source of content meaning
that it is possible that a lot of content is unutilised. This needs
urgent attention as it is one of the most viable source for
content from the community.
Regarding relevance of content to the audience, there is
relatively good appreciation of getting feedback, although
there is lack of audience surveys. The accuracy of content is
58
also ensured through a variety of ways but limited to internet

research and prior discussions with invited guests. There is
thus the need for more skills development amongst the staff
on ensuring the content is accurate and hence meaningful to
the audience. Effective programme planning skills are thus
required to assist address this shortcoming; it was observed
that there lacks a systematic way of programme planning as
was observed by one staff member: We generally do not
still understand many concepts around radio broadcasting
including radio programming so we would appreciate more
training and induction on many of these issues.
Communication for development platform relies heavily on
community involvement in production. This is an area that
Baliti FM seems to be handling well, more by default/chance
rather than through strategic conceptualisation. From the
assessment, it is evident that the station allows community
members, and in most instances, the staff assist them to
develop scripts of their won, which are then formatted and
broadcast. This needs to be strengthened through theoretical
grounding of the concept as an important communication for
development tool. This is because, while community
members are a key source of content and are regularly
involved in production, there is still a strong leaning towards
the preference for expert opinion as the overriding opinion
when weighted against community views. The staff
techniques and skills to involve the community more,
develop their confidence around the issues, since the
communities should actually be the experts of their
59
situations, and hence be in a much better position to offer

solutions, and hence own the processes towards resolving
the merging development concerns need to be strengthened.
There is lack of evidence of who the target audience is as
different staff have different descriptions of the stations target
audience, meaning that it is impossible to clearly determine
whether the programmes are conveniently broadcast. There
is however evidence that efforts are made to make the
programmes entertaining through a mix of formats (phone ins
and texting, music, live interviews). Other methods or
strategies to enhance this however need to be explored.
Gender, youths and persons with disability mainstreaming
are areas that still need serious capacity building. Gender for
instance, is not completely understood, increasing chances of
biased content development that could easily entrench
marginalisation violation of the rights of women, youth and
persons with disabilities. Listener participation is also limited
to call in and texting, limiting options for feedback. There is
need to diversify into other ways of achieving listener
participation like through fan clubs listening to programmes
and contributing to the discussions, social media, amongst
others.
60
3.4.3 ICT
Only a few Baliti FM volunteer staff are trained in journalism.
There has been little interaction of the staff with development
communication, and by the time of this assessment, no inhouse training of any nature had been conducted. This could
be explained by the fact that it is still a very new station, and
generally it is still in the process of setting up. The staff ICT
skills are, therefore, evidently lacking. They have,
nevertheless, minimal skills enabling them to basically
operate and use radio related ICT equipment and facilities,
like the mixers, voice recorders, internet, voice editing
software amongst others. This was not however observed
across all the staff, but rather amongst a few. There is
therefore lack of competent knowledge and skills of all the
relevant important equipment and facilities amongst the staff,
an indication that there is need for more in depth training
around this.
The station has the basic equipment for radio broadcasting
including internet connectivity. There is therefore the need to
train the substantially on ICT skills so that they can be able to
competently and effectively use the available equipment and
software to develop better and high quality content, so as to
meet the objective of enhancing social change.
Baliti broadcasts in Borana and Kiswahili languages. The
reason for this was to on the one hand, provide content for
the Borana speakers who may not be fluent in Kiswahili,
while at the same time taking care of the other non Borana
61
Speakers in the county, especially given the conflict history

of the county. The sustainabilioty of this is not certain, as
there are calls by a section of Borana listeners to make the
station a pure Borana language station. This is an ongoing
debate and will need to be resolved, through a strategic
audience review and involvement in determining the final
decision on whether to continue with the two languages or
drop one.
Less than a year into broadcasting, Baliti FM is facing serious
financial challenges, as it is not well staffed and financially
resourced. Community members who germinated the idea
supported it up to end of last year, and from 2014, the station
is supposed to generate its own income. This is challenging,
especially given that this is a new station with a very lean
skilled staffing level. This might affect the sustainability of
content production and programming, as the station might
find it difficult to operate, since even meeting its modest
recurrent expenditure is a big challenge. The station is
currently negotiating some partnerships with a number of
development actors as well as government institutions, but it
needs capacity support to strongly tap into the advertising
market for sustainability.
Institutionally, the Baliti FM has a Board of Directors and a
Community Advisory Board. The Board of Directors are
responsible for the overall programme content and
administration policy, while the community advisory board is
basically mandated to advise on issues related to content
62
from time to time. These structures, however, need to be

strengthened, to enable them play their roles more effectively
3.4.5 Focussed Group Discussion
During the focussed group discussion, a number of strengths
for the community radio were noted. For instance, the staff
valued the experience and opportunity to interact within and
outside the radio station with others, learning, exchanging
ideas, developing socio-cultural tolerance amongst others.
One of the volunteers shared: I have generally looked the
experience that I have got in developing content; when
interacting with audience I have been able to learn more
when they share their ideas, I understand them better and
understand our issues better. People come with problems
like ... challenges that they get when trying to get leaders I
get to see what the community is facing. We had a gender
forum and I interfaced with leaders it makes you feel what
it means to achieve things. I feel like I know more about the
community, and hence I am more committed to the
community. Another one sharing his cross cultural
experience noted: I had known only my community, but
through this station I have come to know and interact with
other communities. In my position, I get views from all over
and from all kinds of people. I have learnt a lot about
working with the community to avoid conflicts. People
would like to see us since they get a lot of knowledge and
information. As opposed to seminars, we are able to reach so
many people75
75
Baliti FM Focused Group Discussion
63
Being able to contribute to positive change is one common

thread across the staff that they liked most. However, this
could be grounded in better understanding communication
for development and the techniques and skills of enabling it
in a community radio environment. Some of the staff had
generally interacted with the concept but at a very basic
level, hence it would greatly improve their programming is
they could be taken through the principles and developing
Communication for development programmes.
Many of the Baliti FM staff looked up to some of their
colleagues as role models. This creates a great environment
for teamwork, internal learning and sharing and generally
supporting each other. This is a characteristic that should be
exploited by encouraging team building and bonding, with
the objective of supporting on the job learning and training
through colleagues.
Volunteering can be challenging and difficult. For the Baliti
FM volunteers, the urge or ambition to achieve, enjoying
doing something worthwhile, and the urge to support
community development are some of the reasons for their
drive to do what they do. They are happy working with the
members of their communities, and participating in solving
the problems affecting them. This is best captured by one of
the staff: if there is a problem, I want to be there to support
resolve issues, that is what makes me volunteer, explained
one of them.
64
3.4.6 Conclusion
As a still young station, Baliti FM has achieved significant
levels of developing community radio content. The
assessment generally reveals a listenership that easily
identifies and supports the radio station. This means that with
better capacity, the staff will be able to produce high level
quality programmes, and significantly contribute to positive
change, directly impacting on the livelihoods of the people
in Isiolo County. The challenge, however, of lack of
audience surveys need to be addressed and possibly the staff,
among others, trained in audience survey skills and analysis
of data, to inform programming and content development in
a much better way. The existing strengths should be built on,
and capacity building on content development would
therefore go a long way on enabling tapping into this drive,
passion and motivation of the staff of the station. As this is
done, there is also need for due attention be given to some of
the critical challenges/ weaknesses as they directly impact on
content development. Some of the challenges that were
noted during this study include:
1. Being a young station, issues around policies are not
very well spelt out and this needs to be addressed to
enhance better content development and
programming
2. There is need for general strengthening of
administrative structures, including a strong presence
and involvement of a community advisory council to
ensure relevant and quality content is achieved
65
3. There is need to develop and strengthen the theory

and practice of communication for development
amongst the staff to facilitate better community radio
content gathering, production and broadcasting
4. There is need to train the staff in conducting audience
survey
5. General interviewing, programme development and
production skills need to be enhanced
6. There is need for in depth training on the
identification and use of the various radio
programming and content development equipment
and facilities to enhance better content.
66
4 THE WAY FORWARD ENHANCING THE

CAPACITIES OF COMMUNITY RADIO
STATIONS IN KENYA TO DEVELOP BETTER
CONTENT AND PROGRAMMING
The message you deliver through radio can change

someones life!76This statement is easily demonstrated by the
role some vernacular radio stations are alleged to have
played in flaring the 2007/8 post election violence in Kenya.
The essence of community radio and more so in Kenya, is to
contribute positive social change through providing a
platform for communities to address development
challenges. The capacity for the staff to be able to deliver on
this mandate is, therefore, important. The following are the
recommendations towards achieving this capacity:
1. Enabling a clear understanding of the concept, identity,
principles, ethics, regulatory and policy framework of
community radio in Kenya. This is important as it sets the
foundation of what a community radio is, and hence
gives direction as to how the community radio is
supposed to be set up and run.
Indicators
76
Benard Oketch Ongong'a of Ekialo Kiona during a focussed group

discussion on 10th February 2014 at Mfangano Islands
67
(i) Ability to demonstrate a clear and shared understanding

of community radio among the community radio staff
(ii)Ability to demonstrate content and programming that
reflects the clear understanding of community radio
concept and identity
(iii) Ability to demonstrate the clear understanding of the
legal and policy frameworks for community radio by
community radio staffs in Kenya
2. Enabling a clear understanding of the concept for
communication for development (C4D) among the staff
of community radio stations. This would enhance content
development that would lead to achieving the required
unique community radio content hence establishing a
clear community radio identity. This could be achieved
through different processes organising workshops,
trainings as well as exchange learning and sharing events
across the radio stations. Through these strategies, the
staff working in community radios will not only be able
to understand the concept, but also interact in a practical
way with how communication for development works,
enabling them to be able to develop and design their own
communication for development programmes.
Indicators
a. Workshop on communication for development for key
staff at select radio stations
b. One in-house training at each targeted radio station on
communication for development by those attending the
68
workshop. This should be done through a mentoring

process to ensure that its properly delivered.
c. One report each of the training on communication for
development by the radio station.
d. Number of communication for development programmes
designed and implemented within the year
e. Number
of
development
actors
supporting
communication for development programmes
f. Increase in representativeness of the community voice in
programming and content development
g. Number and type of guests invited to attend programmes
on issues of local public concerns
h. Number of chief barazas, community open day forums
etc attended to identify issues of local public concern
i. Database of key resource persons, opinion leaders and
stakeholder
3. Training on programming, content gathering, research
skills, scripting, sound editing, production and
presentation skills. This would more effectively be done
as tailor made in-house trainings for radio stations, since
to achieve the best results, there is need for individualised
attention.
Indicators
a. Number of journalists trained in the station
b. Number of accredited journalists by Media Council of
Kenya
69
c. Evidence of improved quality of content

programming through periodic audience surveys
and
4. Enabling a better comprehension of gender

mainstreaming amongst the community radio staff as
already noted, this is an area that needs urgent attention
for unbiased and gender sensitive community radio
content. Due to the realities of socialisation as people
grow up, without a very clear understanding of what
gender is and how it impacts of decision making, there is
danger that most of the programmes produced and
broadcast could inadvertently entrench certain negative
attributes and or stereotypes attached to women, persons
with disabilities and or persons living with HIV/AIDs
Indicators
a. Capacity training on gender responsive programming
with particular attention to marginalised groups like
persons with disabilities, persons living with HIV/AIDS
and older persons
b. Number of programmes produced with particular
attention to gender disparities
c. Evident involvement of religious and cultural leaders in
programming and content development
5. Strengthening the use of social media including internet
for content development and sharing. Currently, there is
very limited use of social media for content development
and information sharing. This is a very strong platform
70
especially for those with the technology, as well as

reaching out to members of the community within which
the radio station operates but live in diaspora.
Indicators
a. Number of enabled and active ICT platforms such as
website pages, facebook, tweeter, and phones (eg mass
texting).
b. Number of listeners participating in interactive programs
6. Institutionalise audience surveys and feedback
mechanisms this is important for ensuring that content
is relevant, of proper quality and conveniently broadcast.
Audience surveys tend to be very expensive
and
technical to undertake and hence KCOMNET should
explore possibilities of mobilising resources, in
partnerships with the radio stations for these surveys,
which would greatly assist in determining the proper
target audiences and specifically design relevant
programmes. As for the feedback mechanisms, the staff
should be trained various approaches or methods of
feedback, how to capture feedback and how to use
feedback for improving quality of content. This should
also include the systematic capturing and responding to
complaints
71
Indicators
a. Approved policy statements that commit the station and
staff to issues of public concern, like strategic plans,
complaints
b. Number of complaints captured and responses to those
complaints
c. Number of programmes that reflect issues of public
concern
d. Number
of
audience
research
engagements,
documentation and analysis
7. Sustainability strategies (social, institutional and
financial) Most the radio stations seem to have settled
pretty well within the aspects of social sustainability, as
they are currently broadcasting in languages that are
generally accepted amongst their target audience.
Nonetheless, there is need to formally institutionalise this
through proper audience surveys. However, the stations
are generally struggling with institutional and financial
sustainability bringing in the need to strengthen them
through well structured and functioning institutional
frameworks and fundraising strategies. This is critical if
quality content and programming is to be achieved.
Indicators
a. Listener language preference surveys
b. Well articulated vision, mission, values statements at the
radio stations well shared amongst the staff and the
community
72
c. Effective administrative structures observed at the radio

stations
d. Fundraising strategies developed and implemented.
73
www.kcomnet.org
https://www.facebook.com/kcomnet
https://twitter.com/kcomnet
2014

Status of Content and Programming by Community Radio Stations in Kenya

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Status of Content and Programming by Community Radio Stations in Kenya

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Assessment of Baliti FM (Isiolo), Koch FM (Nairobi) and

Ekialo Kiano (Homa Bay)

Community radio content status in Kenya ...............................11

Study Findings: A brief analysis of content quality and

EKIALO KIONA ASSESSMENT FINDINGS .......... 32

Background, Station Identity and Policy ..................33

Programming and Content .........................................34

Content Quality ..........................................................35

Focussed group discussion ........................................39

KOCH FM ASSESSMENT ...................................... 43

Background, Station Identity and Policy ..................44

Programming and Content .........................................46

Focussed Group Discussion ......................................52

BALITI FM ASSESSMENT ..................................... 55

Background, Station Identity and Policy ..................56

Programming and Content .........................................57

Focussed Group Discussion ......................................63

THE WAY FORWARD ENHANCING THE CAPACITIES OF

This assessment was done to determine the level of quality

section also looks briefly at the history of community radio in

Each with key indicators the recommendations include:

1 Understanding community radio

Community Broadcasting and Media 2015 p 3

for social change particularly in marginalised areas.3 It has

voice the same government dismantled the station after

1.2 What is the difference between community and

the owners through the directors, limiting participation of the

media, and by extension, community radio. For instance,

Njuki Gitethwa (2010)Milestones, challenges and proposals in the

which broadcast in vernacular languages like Royal Media

FM,(Registered as SIDAREC) and Pamoja Radio, which could

Communications Authority of Kenya registers radios in three categories

1.3 Community radio as a medium for

McPhail (Ed), T. L.,(2009) Development Communication: Reframing the

entertainment and education that targets change and

Community Radio (Mfangano Island, Homabay). The main

2 Community radio content status in Kenya

Jallov, B., et al (2007). Impact assessment of East African community media

democracy education, anti -corruption, HIV and AIDS,

interactive, interesting and attractive, rather than based on

KBC (Kiswahili and English), Radio Citizen, Milele FM, Radio

Mangelete community radio is located at Nthongoni market, 14 kilometres

2.2 Why the assessment of community radio content

It is easily discernible from studies already done in Kenya

competition between community stations. It would also open

4. Empowering Local Radio with ICTs in Kenya: Radio

stations for instance, face staffing challenges especially lack

one year project by Kenya Community Media Network

community are not only the sources of materials for

3. Training and skills development of the staff and

Training these volunteers is thus critical in ensuring

economy since the pastoral economy, which employs

shared by Radio Mangelete when it observed that

2.3 Content and programming assessment survey

The second section, which involves actual travel and

3 Study Findings: A brief analysis of content

At Baliti FM, as a result of one of their youth programmes, a group of

mixers and internet. At Ekialo Kiona, there were a mobile

volunteers, who have moderate level of professional

Gender mainstreaming was also weak in all the radio

updated and integrated into programming. Moreover, none

Social Sustainability relates to community radios social acceptance to target

legal requirements. Boards that are active and have a strong