Hot96 and Radio Citizen Undergo Presenter Changes in Bold Major Revamp
Royal Media Services (RMS) has announced sweeping presenter changes across several of its leading radio stations, marking one of the most significant programming shake-ups in recent years as the media house seeks to refresh its content and broaden audience engagement.
In a notice issued on Monday, February 9, RMS confirmed that veteran broadcaster Jeff Koinange and his long-time co-host Patrick Igunza will no longer anchor the popular Hot96 morning show. The duo has instead been reassigned to the station’s evening drive show, with Nick Odhiambo and Cynthia Mwangi taking over the morning slot with immediate effect.
“By moving a morning legend to the evening or a late-night storyteller to mid-morning, we are challenging the presenters to bring their magic to a new audience and giving fans a side of their favourite stars they have never heard before,” Afune said.
At Radio Citizen, similar adjustments have been implemented. The station’s flagship morning show, Jambo Kenya, will now be hosted by Tina Ogal, Abdi Munai, and Kuka Kisondio. They replace long-serving presenters Vincent Ateya and Melody Sinzore, who have been reassigned to the afternoon drive show.
Legendary broadcaster Willy Tuva has also been moved from his long-running Mambo Mseto show. The programme will now be hosted by Qtee, Bensu, and DJ Flash, while Tuva transitions to the Waks Tikitaka show. The new assignment represents a notable shift for Tuva, who is best known for his polished Swahili delivery, as Waks Tikitaka largely relies on Sheng and youth-centric slang.
Media analysts view the move as an attempt to tap into younger audiences while leveraging Tuva’s influence to broaden the show’s appeal.
Beyond Hot96 and Radio Citizen, RMS has also revised line-ups at its vernacular stations. At Mulembe FM, Omar Bakuli has been moved from the Breakfast Show to the Drive Show, with Pamela Kadima stepping in as the new morning host. Inooro FM has also seen changes, with Jeff Kuria and Nyoxx joining the Drive Show Cua Cua. Meanwhile, veteran late-night presenter Nderitu Waihura has taken a break, with Njuguna and Karwimbo temporarily filling his slot.
RMS has not indicated whether the changes are permanent, but insiders suggest the reshuffle is part of a broader strategy to test new combinations, rejuvenate content, and sustain competitiveness in an increasingly crowded radio market.
Industry observers note that moving high-profile morning presenters to evening slots is a common strategy among radio stations, often aimed at transferring loyal audiences across different time bands and boosting listenership throughout the day.
While the changes have sparked mixed reactions among listeners on social media, RMS maintains that the revamp is necessary to keep programming dynamic and responsive to evolving audience tastes.
As the new line-ups take effect, all eyes will be on listener feedback and ratings to determine whether the bold overhaul delivers the desired impact.
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Hot96 and Radio Citizen Undergo Presenter Changes in Bold Major Revamp
