- For many Kenyans, the name Omuga Kabisae evokes a flood of memories. His was not just a broadcaster’s voice; it was an institution in itself.
- In an era where broadcasting is often driven by speed and sensationalism, Omuga represented a school of journalism anchored in service, trust, and credibility.
- As Scholar Media Africa, we join his family, colleagues, and the entire nation in celebrating a life well lived and a voice that will forever echo in Kenya’s broadcasting history.
The Kenyan media fraternity is mourning the loss of one of its most distinctive and beloved voices. Veteran broadcaster Charles Omuga Kabisae passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, after a long illness, leaving behind a rich legacy that spans decades in the service of journalism and public communication.
For many Kenyans, the name Omuga Kabisae evokes a flood of memories. His was not just a broadcaster’s voice; it was an institution in itself. Deep, warm, deliberate, and unmistakably authoritative, his tone carried weight in moments of national importance, comfort in times of grief, and dignity in the delivery of “matangazo maalum na matangazo ya vifo” (special and death announcements).
From Kisumu’s Airwaves to the Nation’s Living Rooms
Born in Siaya County, Omuga’s media journey began humbly at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Dholuo Service in Kisumu. His exceptional articulation and natural command of the microphone quickly propelled him to the national stage when he joined KBC’s Kiswahili Service in Nairobi.
Here, he became the trusted voice behind thousands of news bulletins, state announcements, and condolence messages. For decades, his broadcasts reached homes in every corner of Kenya, binding the nation through sound. His signature style: respectful, measured, and empathetic set a gold standard for broadcasting that generations of journalists would look up to.
The Human Side of a Broadcasting Legend
Beyond the microphone, Omuga was admired for his humility and warmth. Colleagues remember him as approachable, ready with a word of encouragement, and generous with his experience.
I recall meeting Mr. Omuga in 2010, during my attachment at KBC. At the time, I was working in the Current Affairs Department, writing news and translating for both Idhaa ya Taifa and the English Service. Coincidentally, I was serving alongside his daughter, Winnie Omuga, who was also on attachment at the time.
Whenever Mr. Omuga passed through the newsroom or the KBC corridors, you couldn’t help but pause. There was something magnetic about his presence; a quiet confidence and a voice that seemed to embrace everyone it addressed. I admired how effortlessly he carried himself, and how that same voice, which had reached millions, could still be warm in a casual greeting.
Those brief encounters remain etched in my memory, not because of celebrity status, but because of the genuine human connection he offered.
A Career Rooted in Service
In an era where broadcasting is often driven by speed and sensationalism, Omuga represented a school of journalism anchored in service, trust, and credibility. He understood the power of the airwaves — that a voice could calm a nation in moments of uncertainty, and that every word carried a responsibility to inform without bias.
His decades at KBC were marked by consistency and excellence. Whether announcing national events, state funerals, or public advisories, he did so with a steadiness that made listeners trust not just the message, but the messenger.
The Final Sign-Off
Omuga’s passing marks the end of an era for Kenya’s public broadcasting. Yet, his influence will live on — in the journalists he mentored, in the listeners who grew up hearing him, and in the standards he set for professionalism in radio.
As Scholar Media Africa, we join his family, colleagues, and the entire nation in celebrating a life well lived and a voice that will forever echo in Kenya’s broadcasting history.
To his family, including his daughter and former colleague, Winnie, we extend our heartfelt condolences. The silence left in his absence is profound, but so too is the legacy he leaves behind.
Rest in Peace, Charles Omuga Kabisae.
Your microphone may be off, but your voice will never fade from the hearts of those you touched.
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Penned by the Editor-in-Chief and Group CEO of Scholar Media Africa.
