Radio Africa Group director Dr Richard Ayah /HANDOUT
T HE World Cup playing this year has 48 countries, 10 are African. In 2002, there were 32 teams, five African. When Kiss FM launched in 2000, it revolutionised radio in East Africa.
Radio Africa was created out of the merger of Classic FM and Kiss FM. Today it is the number one radio group in the region with six stations, the national newspaper and a robust digital business.
Kiprono Kittony was the founding chair of the board. Business, like global sports, is a mix of leading and building a winning team.
Building a team requires finding a balance between the stars and the players who put in the shift. Media is no different. Over the years, Radio Africa has found and built some of the biggest stars in media.
Name any of the biggest personalities to emerge in media in the last 25 years and chances are they were part of the Radio Africa family. In doing so, the business has helped companies to build their businesses through innovation and provided entertainment to millions of Kenyans.
Kiprono has been the chairman who steered the board, guided management and key stakeholders through sometimes turbulent times.
The media industry is a sensitive sector. Not only is it there to entertain, but it also has a duty to inform, amplify the voices of the people.
The media industry is a guardian of democracy. Much of this work, of ensuring that media works well, falls to the board. Much of this work is in the background. Kiprono excelled at this.
Working tirelessly with key stakeholders especially governments and the Media Owners Association; to ensure media freedom in Kenya is safeguarded.
He has worked with four Presidents! No small feat. Kiprono retires from Radio Africa. A consummate businessman, he is a giant in corporate Kenya.
From his role in laying the foundation to a vibrant Nairobi Securities Exchange to his new role as chair of Kenya Airways, he has been at the vanguard of innovation and change for the better. He stands tall
