The Nairobi International Trade Fair, often referred to as the ASK Nairobi Show, is one of the largest and most anticipated annual events in Kenya.
This seven-day extravaganza runs from late September to early October, showcasing various sectors from agriculture to technology and trade.
This year’s theme, “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Development,” highlights the country’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
At the heart of this year’s exhibition is the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), which has made its mark with an impressive display of its services, projects, and commitment to promoting local talent.
With 14 radio stations and two television channels, including KBC Radio Taifa, Y254 TV, and KBC Channel 1, the national broadcaster plays a vital role in informing, educating, and entertaining the Kenyan public.
Visitors to the KBC stand at the ASK Nairobi Show are welcomed with a showcase of the company’s digital platform, KBC Digital, which has social media pages, a mobile app, and a comprehensive website.
As Kenya’s oldest national broadcaster, KBC continues to adapt to modern times while ensuring that its programs are accessible to all through innovative projects like Signet and Studio Mashinani.
Signet: Empowering free television viewing
Signet is one of KBC’s standout projects. Through this platform, Kenyans can enjoy free access to over 150 television channels.
“You don’t need to pay for television every month,” explains Nganga Mwangi, a technician at KBC Signet. “We provide Kenyans with the opportunity to watch educational, entertainment, informative, and news programs for free.”
The service offers flexibility, allowing viewers to watch whatever they want, whenever they want, without being bound to a strict broadcasting schedule.
“Currently Signet has some special feature – local insertion – for a client who wants to be a media or television owner.
“You can have your TV located in an area near you. Your TV doesn’t need to broadcast across Kenya but in a concentrated area zone due to limited resources,” says Mr Mwangi.
“With as little capital as you have, you can own a local television through the local insertion feature. We have local insertions in Nyeri, Mombasa, Kisumu, Webuye, and Kitui.”
Studio Mashinani: Nurturing local talent
Another major highlight of KBC’s participation is Studio Mashinani, an initiative aimed at nurturing Kenya’s vibrant pool of local talent.
Established by the Ministry of ICT in collaboration with KBC, Studio Mashinani provides aspiring musicians and content creators with professional audio and video recording services, completely free of charge.
According to Hezron Kimoni, a sound engineer at KBC, the program is designed to ensure that young Kenyans have the tools they need to share their voices with the world.
“We promote young talent,” says Hezron. “Once we have finished recording, we promote the audio tracks on our radio stations, and when the videos are ready, we broadcast them on Y254 and KBC Channel 1.”
The initiative is a major step in democratizing access to high-quality production facilities.
To date, Studio Mashinani has recorded over a thousand music tracks at its seven studios located in areas like Langata, Gatanga, Kitui, Komarock, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
KBC’s Commitment to the future
KBC’s involvement at the Nairobi International Trade Fair 2024 showcases its commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and local talent development.
As the broadcaster continues to evolve with technological advancements, initiatives like Signet and Studio Mashinani ensure that every Kenyan has access to affordable, quality media and that local voices are amplified across the country.
