NAIROBI, Kenya — Veteran broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka is set to retire from broadcasting after an illustrious career spanning five decades.
Machoka, one of Kenya’s best-known radio voices, will mark the end of his 50-year broadcasting journey at a retirement celebration scheduled for October 10, 2026, at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko announced the event after Machoka paid him a courtesy call and personally invited him to the celebration.
“My good friend of many years, legendary broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka, paid me a courtesy call at my office and personally invited me to his retirement celebration,” Sonko said in a statement dated September 21.
He described Machoka’s career at the national broadcaster and Royal Media Services as five decades spent informing and entertaining millions of Kenyans.
Machoka’s 50-Year Broadcasting Journey
Machoka began his broadcasting career in the 1970s at the Voice of Kenya (VOK), which later became the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
His entry into radio came unexpectedly.
Before becoming a broadcaster, Machoka served as a General Service Unit officer, joining the police service in 1972 and spending about four years in the force, including service in the Northern Frontier.
While still a police officer, he was an enthusiastic radio listener and regularly took part in radio competitions.
His breakthrough came after he won a SANYO radio competition known as “Sanyo Juu Sanyo Tops.”
When he travelled to Nairobi to collect his prize, a programme producer noticed his voice and asked whether he would consider working in radio.
Machoka accepted the opportunity and began recording promotional material for Sanyo electronics, which was broadcast through VOK.
From VOK to Radio Citizen
At VOK, Machoka became associated with several popular radio programmes, including Seng’enge ni Ng’ombe, Ugua Pole na Lucozade, Sportsman ni Sawa Hasa and Mchanganyiko Maalum na Bitchman.
He also hosted television programmes including Music Time and Talk of Time.
In 1988, he established FM 35, a broadcasting venture named after his initials and his age at the time.
Machoka later joined Royal Media Services’ Radio Citizen in 2002, where he became the host of the popular Roga Roga programme.
The Voice Behind Rhumba
Machoka became particularly associated with African music and Rhumba, helping introduce and sustain the genre among generations of Kenyan listeners.
His Roga Roga programme featured music from across Africa, including popular Rhumba tracks from the 1980s and 1990s.
Sonko said audiences would miss Machoka’s distinctive voice, humour and music programmes following his retirement.
The October celebration is expected to feature performances by major African music artistes, including Congolese stars Koffi Olomide and Mbilia Bel, as well as Cameroonian musician Sam Fan Thomas.
Machoka Honoured for Contribution to Media
Machoka’s five-decade career has earned recognition from both the media industry and the Kenyan government.
In July 2026, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) launched a framework aimed at recognising veteran journalists and broadcasters, with Machoka’s 50th broadcasting anniversary among the initiatives highlighted.
MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said the recognition programme would celebrate Machoka and other veteran media personalities who have made lasting contributions to Kenya’s media industry.
Machoka was also awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) in December 2021 in recognition of his contribution to the country.
In 2023, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards.
Five Decades Behind the Microphone
Machoka’s retirement marks the end of one of Kenya’s longest broadcasting careers, stretching from the era of VOK through the transformation of the country’s radio industry to the modern commercial broadcasting landscape.
From his unexpected entry into radio to his decades-long association with African music, Machoka built a distinctive identity that made him one of the most recognisable voices in Kenyan broadcasting.
His retirement celebration on October 10 will bring together colleagues, listeners, musicians and other admirers to mark five decades behind the microphone.
