Following his vow to revamp the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) during his vetting, Information, Communication Technology and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo visited the national broadcaster to effect the changes.
Speaking to the national broadcaster on Tuesday, November 1, Owalo called upon the administration and its staff to offer solutions aimed at turning KBC into the leading media house in the country.
"I am here to get your views and suggestions on interventions required to address the challenges facing KBC so that we can agree on solutions going forward," he stated.
“I have had extensive talks with the board and senior management of KBC and I have a clear picture of what needs to be done to revamp the media house to enhance performance, and productivity and to elevate staff motivation,” added CS Owalo.
He was warmly received by the administrators at the media house based along Harry Thuku road who lauded the move.
"Support from the government will push KBC to greater heights," state its Board Chairman, Benjamin Maingi.
Owalo additionally reiterated his past remarks to help KBC punch above its weight in the marketplace.
"We are ready to liaise with all the integral stakeholders so that we find ways and means of revitalising the operations of KBC. This is basically the first state agency that I am visiting since I took office," the CS added.
“We attach a lot of integral value to KBC. In the recent past, I have made proclamations on the need to revitalize KBC. This is a good starting point,” he added.
During the vetting on Friday, October 21, Owalo decried the broadcaster's sorry state arguing, "It is ironical that KBC with its wide network of infrastructure, is today punching below its weight in the marketplace,"
On July 7, President William Ruto hinted at drastic changes to help the state-owned media house reclaim its glory and rely on its own finances.
"It must operate differently, otherwise nobody is going to advertise, we must run KBC as a commercial entity, it must make money, it must run itself. We cannot continue to fund KBC from public coffers," Ruto stated.
He also added that the media house should regain its objective and provide balanced news to Kenyans.
