Five of the most well-known radio presenters of Taach FM, a well-liked vernacular radio station that broadcasts in Kelenjin, have been fired.
Through social media, one of the presenters, dubbed Chepkam Comedian, revealed that their contracts had been cancelled.
She said that on-air gambling, a typical source of income for radio and television stations in Kenya, was the reason she and four other coworkers were sacked from the vernacular radio station.
“To all my Taach FM fans just to let you know that we shall no longer be working together me and other 5 presenters Edwin Tonui, Kebenei, Arap Nwach, and popular political morning host Bruce Bett due to pressure from management concerning pay bills that people are tired of,” the statement read.
Speaking to Kenyans, Chepkam confirmed the reports of their unprecedented firing, claiming that their contracts were untenable on ethical grounds.
“They fired us without a notice claiming we are the reason the radio is not making profits because the listeners are no longer participating in the game,” she stated.
The game which would take place across all five shows hosted by the presenters asked the listeners to try their luck by sending a certain amount of money.
The five employees were fired on Thursday, November 24 and are yet to receive their send-off package. They however revealed that they would follow up on their payment on Monday, November 28.
“We are planning to report to the radio station on Monday because no word has been communicated to us,” she added.
Taach FM is a leading Kalenjin radio station. It broadcasts on 95.1Fm covering the entire North Rift Counties; Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Pokot, Trans Nzoia, and its environs.
In 2021, it bagged the Regional Broadcaster award for radio South Rift region.
Lotteries are common in Kenyan media, as radio and TV stations grapple with dwindling revenues.
In July 2021, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) barred all radio stations from running lottery programmes without prior approval.
BCLB Director P.K Mbugi noted that the board was alarmed by illegal deals between license holders and radio stations to run lotteries on their behalf.
“In order to address this abuse, radio stations will not be allowed to carry out any lottery or prize competition draw unless the said radio station has a gaming permit to do so,” stated Mbugi then.
