Did you know: A short history of USIU Radio

By Michelle Nyaribari

USIU Radio was started in the Spring semester of 2010, after being granted the broadcasting license by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA), in 2009. In its earlier years, USIU Radio was under USIU-Africa’s journalism club, providing an opportunity for students to hone their skills in radio broadcasting and training on media techniques and technologies.

USIU Radio airs on the frequency 99.9 FM, which is typically allocated to community radio stations. The station transmits over a radius of 5 kilometers from the USIU-Africa campus.

All day-to-day functions in USIU Radio are student-led under the leadership of Head of Radio, Aruna Saidi and are assisted by radio technician, Winfred Kidula.

The university’s campus is home to two studios, the recording studio and the on-air studio, which serve USIU Radio both passively and actively. The recording studio, located in the Cinematics Centre, opened its doors in the year 2007 and is used exclusively by the BA Journalism students to develop their skills. The recording studio is also used for the training of incoming presenters in addition to the production of station ID’s, programs, promos, drops and jingles, and drops.

The on-air studio, located on the first floor of Lillian K Beam currently houses the USIU Radio station. The station operates from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with 21 shows being broadcast from this studio.

Since its establishment in 2010, USIU Radio has had a number of radio presenters joining mainstream media, including Andy Young (Homeboyz Radio), Rae Kiragu (Homeboyz Radio) and Darya Kish (NRG Radio). As the station continues with efforts to become a commercial radio station, USIU Radio carries on nurturing and growing talent not only in the radio presenters, but the talent of the in-house producers and deejays.

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