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Radio Africa Group
Company typePrivate
IndustryMass Media
FoundedJuly 2000; 24 years ago (2000-07) in Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
FoundersPatrick Quarcoo
William Pike
HeadquartersLion Place, Karuna Close, off Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
Area served
Kenya
Key people
Martin Khafafa (CEO)
ProductsRadio broadcasting · Television broadcasting · Print media · Digital media
Websiteradioafricagroup.co.ke

Radio Africa Group is a Kenyan media conglomerate headquartered in Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 2000 by Ghanaian-born entrepreneur, Patrick Quarcoo, and British journalist William Pike,[1][2] the group operates seven radio stations,[3] one free‐to‐air television channel, a daily newspaper,[4] and other digital platforms. The group broadcasts in English and Swahili.

History

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Radio Africa Group was co‐founded in 2000 by Patrick Quarcoo—who had previously worked as a journalist for international outlets including Reuters in Uganda—and William Pike, a British journalist and then an editor at Reuters.[5] The group’s inaugural station was Kiss 100, which quickly became one of Nairobi’s top youth‐oriented channels.[5][6] In the 2000s the company expanded into classic hits (Classic 105), Swahili news and sports (Radio Jambo),[7] Asian‐community broadcasting (East FM),[8] rock music (X FM),[9] and smooth jazz/adult contemporary (Smooth FM).[10]

In 2007, the group also established the Nairobi Star,[11] a tabloid that rebranded in 2009 to The Star (Kenya),[12] a daily newspaper with a focus on political coverage.

In 2014, Radio Africa Group launched Bamba TV, a free‐to‐air digital television platform, marking its first foray into television.[13]

Operations

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Radio stations

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  • Kiss 100 FM – Contemporary youth‐oriented music and entertainment.[14]
  • Classic 105 – Classic hits and talk shows.[14]
  • Radio Jambo – Swahili‐language news and sports.[14]
  • East FM – Programming for the Kenyan Asian community.
  • X FM – Rock music (currently inactive/rebranded).[14]
  • Smooth FM – Smooth jazz and adult contemporary.[14]

Television

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  • Bamba TV – Free‐to‐air digital television channel offering news, entertainment, and sports programming.[13]
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  • The Star – Daily newspaper covering politics, business, and general news.[14]

Digital platforms

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Radio Africa Group operates or has operated a suite of news websites and streaming services, including:

  • Radio Africa Digital News.[15]
  • Kiss TV now defunct (online streaming).[16]
  • Mobile apps for live radio and podcasts.[17]

Leadership

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  • Patrick Quarcoo – Founder and Group CEO (2000–present)
  • William Pike – Co‐founder (2000–present)
  • Martin Khafafa – Chief Executive Officer (appointed 2022)

Awards and recognition

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  • 2012 GUBA Awards – International Recognition Award to Patrick Quarcoo.[18]
  • Multiple winner of the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) station awards.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ngigi, Elizabeth (June 26, 2024). "Patrick Quarcoo retires as Radio Africa Group CEO after 24 years at the helm". Daily Nation. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  2. ^ Mwende, Sharon (October 4, 2024). "Radio Africa Group Convergence Director William Pike retires". The Star. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  3. ^ The Star (June 28, 2024). "Radio Africa Group wins global AI competition". The Star. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  4. ^ "SA's Times Group acquires 49pc stake in Radio Africa for Sh1.6bn". Business Daily. December 14, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Meet Ghanaian Mogul Behind Kiss, Classic, Radio Jambo & More - Business Today Kenya". Business Today. March 3, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  6. ^ Waruguru, Grace (October 20, 2020). "Who is Patrick Quarcoo? Meet the Radio Africa Group CEO - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  7. ^ Khamati, Amanda (2014). "DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE OF RADIO AFRICA LIMITED IN KENYA" (PDF). University of Nairobi. p. 30. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  8. ^ Njeri, Fiona (February 10, 2025). "Radio Africa's EAST FM Celebrates Its 27th Birthday in Style". Mpasho. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  9. ^ Mwendwa, George (July 5, 2020). "Niche radios feeling the heat?". Daily Nation. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  10. ^ Samora, Mr (March 18, 2019). "Radio Africa Group Launches New Radio Station, Smooth FM". KenyanVibe. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  11. ^ Kihuria, Njonjo (January 19, 2019). "The Day The Star Was Born In 2007". The Star. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  12. ^ Kinyanjui, Moses (December 26, 2024). "Boxing Day: The only day Kenyans cannot access newspapers". Citizen Digital. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Radio Africa enters digital TV market - Business Today Kenya". Business Today. December 22, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Ndunyu, Jason (April 25, 2025). "Job Losses as Radio Africa Group Sacks 27 Employees". The Kenya Times. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  15. ^ Kipkemoi, Felix (April 2, 2025). "Radio Africa Group's Multiverse CMS shortlisted in Digital Media Africa Awards". The Star. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  16. ^ Kimuyu, Hilary (March 17, 2023). "Radio Africa shuts down loss-making Kiss TV". Nairobi News. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  17. ^ Etyang, Perpetua (December 5, 2024). "Radio Africa's Songa Play now available for iOS users". The Star. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  18. ^ "Ghana's Greatest Honoured At Awards Ceremony". Business Ghana. December 16, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
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