By Ruth Masita
As the world prepares to celebrate the World Radio Day 2025 , stakeholders in the sector have hailed it (Radio) as an important and strategic tool for community development.
Speaking during the preparations for the celebrations in Mombasa , Pwani FM station manager Maximillah Walukhu noted that many communities have found solutions of different challenges as a result of informative and educative radio programs.
In addition, Ms. Walukhu took the opportunity to explain the evolution of radio since it’s inception.
‘’Radio has come a long way, first we started playing music using CDs, I remember very well when you go to the library you were given a CD for use the next day.”
She also took the opportunity to provide a schedule of the week as a build up to the main day, which includes honoring radio legends and hosting them at the station to interact with their fans and young presenters. .
Ms. Walukhu called on stakeholders and the general public to continue embracing radio as a tool for informing, educating and entertainment
On his part, KBC head of programs Coast region, Joseph Cheruiyot, expressed the need to honor radio as it has been used to change the lives of communities even with technology changes.
“Radio has been around for 101 years now, this is a great celebration as radio has been used to change the lives of communities, and there is a lot to tell about radio from ancient times to the present.”
Cheruiyot also encouraged stakeholders from other departments to take this opportunity and celebrate this week of excellence for journalists and radio broadcasters.
Meanwhile, Media council of Kenya Coast regional Coordinator , Maureen Mudi, called on journalists and radio broadcasters to be at the forefront in educating the community, especially on issues of climate change.
‘‘We would like to encourage journalists working in radio to focus on this year’s theme of radio and climate change.” said Mudi
Adding “Apart from just being journalists, they should ensure that the country continues to progress safely by reporting accurately.”
Mudi also urged journalists to focus on the opportunities available on social media and use their skills to empower themselves economically.
The culmination of these celebrations will be celebrated on February 13, 2025.
The day was declared by member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, in 2011.
Then the day was approved by the United Nations General Assembly on January 14, 2013 as an international day.
And to cap off the 14th, which is Valentine’s Day, the brave listeners and legends in radio will also receive a gift of flowers according to the schedules planned by the management of Pwani FM.
