Weru FM, the latest radio station to hit the airwaves, has caused a stir in Mt Kenya region, barely a week into its launch.The station, owned by John Marete, a former employee of Royal Media Services, has not only raided other established radio stations in the region for talent, it is going after their audiences and advertising revenues as well.
Weru FM 96.4, which broadcasts in Meru language, went on air early this week, taking the Meru region by storm. It has set sights on overtaking Muuga FM, the market leader in this segment, which is owned by Royal Media Services.
Marete will be battling in the airwaves with his former boss S.K. Macharia, the chairman of Royal Media who has a firm grip on the vernacular radio niche.
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Weru FM has assembled big names in radio in Mt Kenya in what clearly is a coup on the big players. Among them is Makena Materi, who was a presenter at Muuga FM and Rita Kanorio, formerly at Meru FM owned by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Mediamax Ltd.
The other big hires are Gachururiga Kaa Ameru, a former presenter at Thiiri FM and Meru Top DJs Alekings Werbit and Selector Prince.
Weru FM is airing mostly Meru music, Meru news and a collection national news targeted at both urban and rural listeners and is expected to gradually rollout more programmes.
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Marete, a former Head of Camera at Citizen TV John Marete, also runs the fast-growing Weru TV as the Chief Executive Officer. Young Muthomi, who formerly served as RMS Head of Radio News, is the Managing Editor of both stations.
The pair has formed a strong team that’s taken on its former employer and chipping away at Muuga’s FM’s fortunes.
Weru FM is a sister company to Weru TV, based in Meru town, which broadcasts mainly in Meru language. The TV station which was launched late last year is already the market leader in the Meru region comprising of Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties.
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