Handshake dividends as Mediamax set to launch Luo radio station

Mediamax Network Ltd has secured a licence to launch a Luo language FM station.

The station which will be known as Osiepe FM is set to go on air in the coming months on 96.8 FM in Siaya and Homabay counties.

The move comes barely a month after Mediamax unveiled Msenangu FM, a Mijikenda language station, which was previously known as PiliPili FM.

Apart from PiliPili, Mediamax, which also owns K24 TV and The People Daily newspaper, boasts of Kameme FM, Milele FM, Mayian FM and Meru FM. There have also been plans to launch a Turkana language station.

Mediamax applied for the licence on May 8 and the same was granted on July 2.

The media house has 12 months to operationalise the station.

The Mediamax, which is majority owned by the Kenyatta family and Deputy President William Ruto, comes as President Uhuru Kenyatta seeks to cement his “handshake” agreement with Opposition leader Raila Odinga.