Why Capital FM Listeners May Experience Disruptions For 3 Weeks

Capital FM has announced that its listeners may experience occasional service interruptions over the next three weeks.

In a notice on Friday, October 5, the popular urban radio station operating under the famous 98.4MHz frequency, revealed that the interruptions may affect their day-to-day listening to music and radio shows aired on the station.

However, it assured that the interruptions were necessary to enhance their fans and followers' listening experience.

"We would like to inform you that over the course of the next three weeks, you may experience occasional service interruptions as we endeavour to enhance your listening experience," stated Capital FM.

“We sincerely appreciate your patience during this period and encourage you to continue tuning in to Nairobi’s best mix of music.”

The interruptions come ahead of its planned relocation from the 19th floor of Lonrho House in the Nairobi Central Bussiness District (CBD), where it has been operating since 1996, to Two Rivers Mall in Ruaka, Kiambu County, built at a cost of Ksh25 billion.

Its staff on Friday staged a special farewell by cutting a cake as they reminisced memories of working at Lornho House before the move to Two Rivers, some 14.3 kilometres away, which is poised to take place on Saturday, October 7.

Two Rivers Mall, situated in Nairobi’s diplomatic blue zone and which was recently gazetted by Public Service 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.

Feisal Baghazal, the station’s Managing Director, hailed the move to Two Rivers, where they will be broadcasting from, a strategic one.

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.

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.

The Ksh25.1 billion development project is courtesy of Centum Group, which is majority-owned by the late billionaire Chris Kirubi and takes up 58 per cent of the shares. The Kirubi family owns the station.

It remains to be established whether Capital FM will maintain a structure similar to that at Lornho House at its new home or it will embark on a series of upgrades that include its radio studio as has been the case with Kenyan media houses moving to new locations and setting up bigger, better state-of-the-art facilities.