Outspoken radio presenter-cum-comedian Felix Odiwuor, alias Jalang’o, has reportedly rejected an offer from Royal Media Services (RMS) to co-host a show on Hot 96 radio station with Koinange. It is understood that the comedian, who co-hosts the morning radio show at Standard Group’s Radio Maisha alongside Alex Mwakideo, had been approached by RMS management but he declined to move to Hot 96.
Hot 96 targets young urban listeners in the league of Kiss FM, but has failed to make a mark. Royal Media was betting on a combination of Jeff and Jalang’o to attract more listeners and advertising. Most radio stations have been using comedians to draw listeners. The trend was popularized by Kiss FM, which brought in Walter Mong’are, aka Nyambane, at the turn of the century.
Comedian mix humour and comedy with serious issues of the day and a clever one can really become a hit, as Nyambane did and Daniel Ndambuki, as Mwalimu King’angi, does on Classic FM with Maina Kageni. Radio Citizen uses Jackie Nyaminde, aka Wilbroda and Inspekta Mwala, whose real name is Davis Mwabili, who combine very well with Francis Luchivya. This trend has become the norm, raising ethical concerns among the media fraternity on whether they should be considered journalists or not.
Based on this Jeff, who takes over the morning show at Hot 96, certainly needs a comedy partner to spice up the morning. He will replace David Oyuke on the show as part of his deal with RMS where he also anchors news on Wednesday and hosts his JKL show soon afterwards. Hot 96 faces closure due to stiff competition from other urban radio stations like Kiss, XFM and Ghetto FM among others.
It is not clear on what grounds Jalang’o rejected the offer, but it is speculated that the Standard Group may have countered RMS offer to keep the comedian, who has built a huge following through his comedy and as a presenter at Radio Maisha on Alex Na Jalas Aubuhi show.
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Also, Jalang’o may weighed the popularity of Hot 96 against Radio Maisha, now ranked second most popular in Kenya after Citizen Radio, and the exposure that comes with it. The uncertain future facing journalists at RMS, where more than 100 journalists were shown the door last year, could also be a factor.
Jeff will be battling to prove himself in radio after an effort to host a country music show on Nation FM failed to improve its rankings and was eventually closed mid last year.
Hot 96 is staring at an uncertain future after some of its journalists left while others were fired during the recent restructuring. Presenter and singer Monique Kabuye left the station late last year. Others who have left include Christopher Odhiambo, Joyce Kyole alias Queen Ndinda and Reggae Host Kelvin Migongo who was poached by the recently launched Qwetu Radio.
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