Capital FM Relocates 14KM Away From Nairobi CBD After 27 Years

After 27 years of calling its headquarters on the 19th floor of Lonrho House in the Nairobi Central Bussiness District (CBD) home, Capital FM is moving to a new location in the suburbs of the city.

In a statement published by the station's website on Wednesday, October 4, Capital FM announced that it is moving to Two Rivers Mall in Ruaka, Kiambu County, built at a cost of Ksh25 billion.

Two Rivers Mall, situated in Nairobi’s diplomatic blue zone and which was recently gazetted by Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria as a Special Economic Zone, is a hub of activity, making it an ideal choice for Capital FM to connect with its listeners.

"The relocation from Saturday, therefore, marks a significant transition for the station, which has been operating from Lonrho House along Standard Street in Kenya’s capital Nairobi since its establishment in 1996.

"The move promises a fresh and engaging experience for both the station and its audience, as it steps into a new chapter in its broadcasting journey at this prime location," the station stated in part.

The relocation, which is set to take place on Saturday, October 7, will see its staff and presenters travel 14.3 kilometres from Lornho House through the Kiambu Road and North Eastern Bypass, the fastest route out of three possible ones, according to Google Maps.

“This is a strategic move and we are excited to move to Two Rivers Mall, where we will be broadcasting from,” said Feisal Baghazal, the station’s Managing Director.

98.4 Capital FM emerged on the Kenyan media landscape shortly after the liberalization of the country’s airwaves. It holds the distinction of being the first private FM station in the country, after the state-owned 101.9 Metro FM. 

Over the years, Capital FM has become a staple in Kenyan households, particularly among the middle-class and upper-class demographics. Its success and popularity have remained unwavering, even as the media landscape continued to evolve with the emergence of several other FM stations catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

The station’s enduring appeal can be attributed to its commitment to delivering top-notch content, covering a wide range of topics, from news and current affairs to entertainment and lifestyle features. With a finger on the pulse of its audience, Capital FM has consistently adapted to meet the ever-changing demands of its listeners.

Two Rivers Mall is an iconic shopping and lifestyle destination, offering unparalleled convenience for visitors and Capital FM’s move to the prime location is poised to bring its broadcasts closer to the people, making it more accessible and engaging.

As part of the upcoming major transition, the station has meticulously planned its migration process to minimize any disruptions to its programs and ensure a seamless shift. 

“We are doing our best to ensure a seamless migration of the systems with minimal interruption to our programmes,” Baghazal added.

Two Rivers Mall is a 25.1 billion development project by Centum Group, which is majority-owned by the late billionaire Chris Kirubi and takes up 58% of the shares. The Kirubi family ironically owns the station.

Other shareholders include the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) International with 39% of the shares and State-Owned Investment Firm ICDC taking up 3% of the shares.

It first opened its doors to the public on February 14, 2017, and it welcomed an average of 10,000 people per day for the first few days.

It is a one-of-a-kind mall hosting over 200 stores, multiple eateries, and an amusement park and is considered the largest mall in East Africa, pending the emergence of Business Bay Square Mall in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

The relocation sees Capital FM join the likes of TV47 (Cape Media) which moved its headquarters to Muthaiga North Road, Nairobi from Ojijo Road in Parklands as part of decentralizing operations and improving its business strategy.