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Kenya is mourning the loss of veteran broadcaster Charles Omuga Kabisae, a familiar and revered voice on KBC Radio Taifa for decades. Known for his calm yet authoritative delivery, Kabisae passed away on August 11 after a long illness.
His body has been taken to a Nairobi morgue as his family plans his funeral.
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Born in Nyamasaria, Kisumu County, Kabisae began his career with KBC’s Dholuo Service before moving to the Kiswahili Service in the early 1990s, where he became renowned nationwide. He was especially famous for delivering Matangazo Maalum na ya Vifo—special bulletins and death announcements—earning a loyal audience and the respect of colleagues.
Tributes poured in from across the country. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi hailed him as “a familiar and trusted voice” whose mastery of news delivery left an enduring mark.
Former KBC presenter Bonnie Musambi described him as “a humble, peaceful soul and consummate professional,” while Churchill Otieno, former President of the Editors Guild, called him “a cultural institution” whose voice symbolised a golden era in Kenyan radio.
Fans and colleagues alike credited Kabisae with inspiring generations of journalists. In a 2020 interview, he recounted joining the industry in the early 1980s, influenced by broadcasting legends like Leonard Mambo Mbotela. He also shared a memorable incident early in his career, when he had to retract an obituary after the “deceased” unexpectedly returned alive.
Kabisae’s legacy as one of Kenya’s most distinctive and respected radio voices is being celebrated nationwide, with many remembering him as more than a broadcaster—he was a voice that shaped the nation’s airwaves.
