Radio Africa Group held a colourful ceremony on Thursday, 25 June, to bid farewell to its outgoing chairman, Kiprono Kittony. The event marked the end of a 27-year era for the media house.
Amidst the tributes, media personality Caroline Mutoko shared the remarkable story of how she first joined the company.
A Single Sentence Gamble
In 2000, Mutoko was 26 years old. She saw an advertisement for a job at Radio Africa in the Daily Nation. While other candidates sent long CVs and listed their qualifications, Mutoko took a different approach. She sent a single paragraph.
“Sensible people sent CVs, listed qualifications, and pleaded their case. I sent a single paragraph that essentially said: ‘You will not find anyone as good as me. So, hire me’,” Mutoko recalls.
Kittony saw something in that gamble. He invited her for an interview. According to Mutko, he was warm and curious, yet guarded.
He had heard rumours of her fierce loyalty to her previous employer, Capital FM. He told her: “I’m not entirely convinced you’re actually leaving.” She assured him she was, and he chose to believe her.
“The Caroline Mutoko you know today exists because one man read a one-paragraph application and decided to take a chance,” she added.
The Legal Storm
The transition was not smooth. On her last day at Capital FM, Kittony waited for her in a maroon Ford Magnum. He drove her to the new studios at Lion Place. The building was still under construction with wet paint and dangling wires.
Soon, a legal battle erupted. Capital FM went to court to stop her from going on air. Lawyers even claimed that allowing her to work for Kiss FM would shut Capital FM down. Through the chaos, Kittony remained calm. His message to her was consistent: “You do your job. We’ll handle this.”
Mutoko stayed with the company for the next 23 years. She credits Kittony for building the stage and trusting the actors to deliver.
27 Years of Leadership
Kittony joined Radio Africa when he was just 34 years old. At the time, he had little experience in corporate governance. He helped transform the company from a single radio frequency in Nairobi into a leading multimedia organisation.
Founder Patrick Quarcoo led the tributes at the farewell event. He described Kittony as a key figure behind the company’s survival.
Quarcoo said: “Without him, this business would not have existed.” He noted that Kittony solved massive power plays and navigated difficult political transitions.
A Lasting Legacy
Under Kittony’s stewardship, Radio Africa became a national brand. Current CEO Martin Khafafa said the chairman leaves behind a stable institution. He told Kittony: “What you’re leaving behind is a real legacy.”
Kittony is not retiring from leadership entirely. He is moving on to new responsibilities, including chairing the board of Kenya Airways. However, he promised to remain a part of the Radio Africa family.
“I am not going anywhere,” he told the gathered staff. “I will continue coming here as a friend of Radio Africa.”
