Radio Africa Staff Treat Caroline Mutoko To Farewell Party After 23 Years [PHOTOS]

The Lions Place, Westlands-based media house announced Mutoko's retirement on Tuesday, July 11 and at the same time staged a farewell party in honour of her

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Aug 4, 2023 - 13:20 Updated: Aug 4, 2023 - 13:53
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Radio Africa Staff Treat Caroline Mutoko To Farewell Party After 23 Years [PHOTOS]
Caroline Mutoko during her farewell ceremony at Radio Africa offices on August 3, 2023. /THE STAR

Veteran radio presenter Caroline Mutoko was on Thursday, August 3 treated to a special farewell ceremony by Radio Africa Group, where she served for a period of 23 years.

The Lions Place, Westlands-based media house announced Mutoko's retirement on Tuesday, July 11 and at the same time staged a 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.

However, Mutoko was absent from the initial announcement, with a source familiar with details of the meeting telling Viral Tea at the time 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.

Caroline Mutoko being served a glass of champagne during her farewell party on August 3, 2023. /THE STAR

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

Weeks later, Radio Africa held another farewell ceremony to celebrate Mutoko's career and contributions to the media house which was also attended by Khafafa as well as Radio Africa Group CEO Patrick Quarcoo.

In a statement, Mutoko thanked the radio company for backing and supporting her throughout the more than two decades she worked there and helping her build a reputable career.

"Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for your backing and support. Thank you for building me & giving me a career.

"Finally, Thank you for letting me go with joy, pomp and above all your blessings & best wishes. Thank you," she wrote.

She shared how her journey with Radio Africa began, and with the belief and trust of the board and management, she swiftly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the iconic breakfast show host on Kiss FM.

Mutoko shared that she will reveal her future plans in due course as she prepares for the next stage of her career. However, she intends to take some well-deserved time to relax and cherish precious moments with her two children for the time being, emphasising the importance of family time in her life.

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.

"Consequently, we will be shutting down the station today, 17th March 2023. All affected staff will duly be informed of the handover process by the HR team," RAG's memo on Friday, March 17 read in part.

Radio Africa notably issued a retrenchment notice in December 2022, which informed its employees of an intention to reorganize its business operations.

Radio Africa Group staff during Caroline Mutoko's farewell party on August 3, 2023. /THE STAR

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