Caroline Mutoko Skips Farewell Party Ahead Of Radio Africa Group Exit

Veteran radio presenter Caroline Mutoko was on Tuesday, July 11 absent for a farewell party organised for her and two others ahead of their departure from Radio Africa Group.

The Lions Place, Westlands-based media house had staged the farewell party in honour of her as well as Program Controller Peter Sinclair, and Group Chief Finance Officer Robert Kibutiri. Mutoko was RAG's Group Marketing Manager.

A source familiar with details of the meeting told Viral Tea that Mutoko was unable to make it to the farewell meeting having already departed by mutual agreement with RAG's management.

Noting that July 11 was her final day at the radio company, the source revealed that RAG Chief Operating Officer Martin Khafafa had communicated that Mutoko had sought medical attention abroad.

Outgoing Program Controller Peter Sinclair (Centre), Group Chief Finance Officer Robert Kibutiri (Right) and Group COO Martin Khafafa during the farewell party on July 11, 2023. /THE STAR

"Yes, it is confirmed, Mutoko and two others have left. Today is their last day.

"She wasn't able to be in the farewell meeting, she is out of the country for a medical procedure," the source revealed.

Radio Africa Group CEO Patrick Quarcoo was also present at the farewell meeting. Nonetheless, Kibutiri, who worked at the radio company for 23 years was grateful for the time he served the company and all the staff.

"Thank you so much Patrick for the privilege and honour, for letting me grow as a leader," he said, adding that he is looking forward to the company getting to 25 years as he would want to attend the silver jubilee party.

Quarcoo in his remarks thanked the outgoing staff for their great performance over the period they served the company, attributing its success to the dedication to excellence of its divisional leadership.

"You are some of the really exceptional people that I have worked with. You always rose to the occasion going above the call of duty and creating some of the most incredible moments in our history," he said.

"23 years on, our radio stations still remain the very best in the country and in Africa. I hope those who are remaining behind will continue with the tradition and keep up the good work."

Khafafa on the other hand thanked the outgoing staff not forgetting to mention that he has learnt many things from them over the years they have worked together.

He also appreciated seeing many young faces in the company saying they are the future of the company and urged them to learn from the excellence and dedication of those who had come before them.

Mutoko worked as a radio presenter at Capital FM for four years before moving to Kiss FM where she became a household name and figure for 14 years.

Her departure is however believed to be part of a planned mass layoff in September as Kenyan media continues to be damaged by the decline in advertising revenues. Her silent departure is reportedly part of a strategic plan to cut Radio Africa's payroll, potentially leading to job losses.

The media house is also reportedly planning to send home an unknown number of employees, mostly drawn from the editorial department, including from the Star, despite retrenching around 40 employees recently.

The planned mass layoff in September will leave the newsroom with little talent and dwindle its chances of a turnaround, coming months after Radio Africa shut down Kiss TV, less than a year after it was relaunched, owing to a lack of capacity in generating revenue.

"As you may be aware, our TV department has been unable to generate any revenue despite efforts by everyone involved to turn the station around.