The recent and surprising decamping of Kikuyu evening radio Kings, Man Simo and Katta, from Inooro FM to rival Kameme FM, will definitely continue to evoke varied nostalgic memories among many keen listeners of these two stations.
Man Simo and Katta made their debut sound on Kameme FM airwaves this Monday, June 24, marking what critics view as the end of veteran presenter PM Squared's longtime dominance of Kikuyu evening radio.
Until a few years ago when her fortunes began to nosedive occasioned by plummeting audience ratings and the fast-rising stars of the Man Simo-Katta duo, PM Squared was the undisputed and perhaps indispensable queen of Kikuyu radio drive shows.
This was evident in 2006 when Inooro FM poached PM Squared from Kameme FM where she had hosted Kameme FM drive show (Humuka) uninterruptedly since the station's launch in early 2000.
It is at Inooro FM's 'Cua Cua' drive show where PM Squared would be coupled with the then emerging but a promising comedian, Machang'i Man Solo Papa, giving rise to a formidable Kikuyu radio drive show chemistry that had not been witnessed anywhere before.
As a result, Kameme FM's 'Humuka' would play second fiddle to Inooro FM's 'Cua Cua' for the next four years. However, in 2010 apparently tired of the status quo and after changing ownership, Kameme FM would not only reclaim its drive show presenter but would also take her along with her comedian scion, Machang'i.
Wary of the impending 'disastrous' aftermath of this move by its rival, Inooro FM had to act quickly which would resort to it bringing on board Man Simo and Katta who had started to make a name for themselves on Coro FM's drive show (Kumiria Nyau Nyau).
At the initial years, the two did not seem capable of posing any substantial challenge to PM Squared and Machang'i whose stars continued to shine even brighter but things have changed over the years.
This is because when PM Squared and perhaps, the rest of us realized that the veteran presenter had long been dethroned from her zone, it was way too late and things had gotten to a point of no return.
This may not have gotten clearer for PM Squared and her co-host till Kameme FM again tired of playing second fiddle to Inooro FM during the drive time slot, raided Communication Centre (Inooro FM HQs) early this month and took off with Man Simo and Katta to take over 'Humuka' from PM Squared and Machang'i.
Nonetheless, the two presenters will remain to be cherished, missed and remembered by many of their Kikuyu audiences for many years to come.
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