By K. Seroney in the Midlands. A former British diplomat was yesterday an honorary guest at the joint Kassfm International radio-WorldRemit recognition of the contributors to the radio programmes in 2011. Martina Moh, International marketing manager of worldRemit was also present.

Sir Edward Clay, a retired high commissioner to Nairobi Kenya, wished everyone listening and presenting the programme a happy and successful 2012. He noted that the eyes of many Kenyans and Britons would be fixed on at least one common enthusiasm this year. ‘We would both be looking forward to Kenyan athletes running away with plenty of medals at the 2012 Olympics’, Sir Edward added.

 

In a difficult economic climate, the Olympics would bring some cheer to Britain and to Kenya for that reason. Less well-known in Kenya, maybe, was that 2012 would also be the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Her Majesty the Queen.

For most of those 60 years, Kenya has been a republic. What we don't always remember is that The Queen actually received the news of her father's death and therefore of her own succession to the throne of the United Kingdom when she was staying in Kenya. Coming to the awards, eloquent diplomat and a trustee in several British charities congratulated in advance everyone who was going to be named in one of the categories. But he also congratulated the many who would not be named but who were essential to the successful operation of KASS FM London.

He said, ‘above all, to be a successful broadcaster you need people listening, with their ears tuned and their minds open to what they hear’. Radio as a medium Radio communication, though old compared to modern electronic media which has diversified and extended its reach unbelievably in the last 20 years, it still has great appeal.

The big thing is that you can listen with others or listen alone; you can do other useful things - work, drive, cook, talk, read - while you listen to radio. You cannot make use of the other media - TV, and internet-based services - without your full attention. It brings all kinds of information and entertainment either to a particular community - ethnic, linguistic, in a single country or region - and also, via Short Wave or the Internet, across huge distances.

KASSFM has the unusual distinction in Africa of being an international, privately-owned broadcaster. It is based in Kenya and rooted among the Kalenjin people in particular - but not just the Kalenjin; it is also based in the UK and the US and it has non-Kalenjin participants in its programmes.

It has developed an international network of people who like to get together across the airwaves over thousands of miles. The forum of Kass London is really a global audience. According to the diplomat, It achieves four great objectives. First, it gives Kenyans in the diaspora news from home, quickly. Overseas Kenyans need not depend for news of Kenya on the foreign media of the country where they live. Sometimes, those media ignore or cover lightly news from our countries. KASS gives the big treatment to the big issues for Kenyans.

Second, KASS enables Kenyans at home to hear their compatriots and their language from thousands of miles away, in the mouths of friends or of people they have never met in person but are glad to hear from. They can discuss as if they are in a cafe or a pub or at home with friends.

Third, KASS London is a means of communicating about culture and arts, entertainment, information and sport with a special focus on Kenya. It reduces the exiles' sense of loneliness: though away from home, they are no longer out of touch.

Fourth, KASS London creates a forum for discussion and interchange between its listeners at home and Kenyan listeners abroad. That is enriching for both sides. People in any diaspora used to get out of touch because they were too distant and the news came too slowly.

Nowadays, however, Kenyans in the diaspora can be in touch and up to date. Above all, they can hear comments, feelings and views direct from KASS's other listeners who are living with those events at home in Kenya. Kenyans at home might also find interesting the views of expatriate Kenyans on events in Kenya. Overseas Kenyans acquire a different perspective on their home country from living in different societies. So they can bring to KASS's discussions their own take on current Kenyan news, especially if it affects something in which they have become expert while abroad.

Maybe a Kenyan studying in Beijing or teaching in Kerela is interested in the perspective another Kenyan working in Toronto or researching food science in Munich brings to a Kenyan issue. Sir Edward adds, ‘That mixing of perspectives and views is a useful reminder that variety is natural. Distance can open minds and foster wisdom and mutual respect’ Even if discussion gets hot, and it does, it can never get violent on the radio. Clear thinking thrives best in a tolerant and free atmosphere. A diverse and independent media is essential to that. KASS London empowers its audience not only to listen to but also to contribute to debate across the airwaves. Kudos to contributors as well as to listeners! Kudos to producers and presenters and all who help the forums run.

Martinah Moh, congratulated the awardees saying it was the best way to give back to the community and was proud to work with Kenyans . WorldRemit is an on-line money transfer company that enables customer s to send home money easily and cheaply.

These are the awardees of the 2011 Kassfm International London.

Certificate of Achievement Kassfm International in conjucntion with WorldRemit.com Presented to:

Category 1: Senior panellists

1 Dr. Seronei Cheison Chelulei. (Munich Germany) 2. Mr. Jairo Kirwa Mise (Kerela, India) 3. Mr. Derek Otieno (London, UK)

Category 2 : Producers

1. Suzanne Chelimo (Lund , Sweden) 2. Loice Murrey (Kenya)

Category 3: Panellists

  1.Stephen Kiptoo arap Rotich (Dubai, UAE) 2. Ornella ( Canada) 3. Agnes Gitau (London, UK) 4. Edward Kibosek Kipng’eno Rono (Brighton, UK)

Category 4: News Presenters

  1.Mr. Musa Kipruto Lagat (Dubai, UAE) 2. Naomi Chemwetich (Finland) 3. Benard Sigilai (china)

Category 5: Upcoming Presenters

  1. Julius Cheruiyot Towett (South Korea) 2. Bernard Bett (Hungary) 3. Robert Ng’arng’ar (China)

Category 6: Exceptional Fans

  1. Mr. Mali Amos arap Kamalingin ( Kween, Uganda) 2. Halima Chepkoskei (Luton, UK)

Partners

Kass London is also proud to recognize these partners:

1. World Remit, a global on-line money transfer company. Kenyans can now send money to Kenya easily online. www.worldRemit.com

2. Meridian Motors, Birmingham. Our latest partner, Buy and send cars to Kenyan from the UK. www.meridianmotors.co.uk

3. Kenyan High commission, London. Working together for the last 2 years to covering their events.

4. www. Itskills4ruralkenya.org . whose project is a model of IT in rural Kenyan communities

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