Although digital media has changed news production and consumption in Kenya's urban areas, radio is still the king in most Kenyan rural settings.
Most listeners always tune in to various radio stations because of one or two presenters they like.
The presenter's voice is the face of the station. Unlike most professions like law or medicine where one has to study, it is not a must that a radio presenter goes through college or university.
Although a commanding voice is enough to earn one the position of a presenter, it is advisable that one goes through relevant training, mostly broadcast journalism in order to master the art of presentation and understand media law and ethics.
A good voice, command of the relevant broadcast language, relevant training, research before going on air, and originality are some of the catalysts towards becoming a top radio presenter.
For training, one needs a mean grade of C+ in KCSE to join top institutions that offer courses related to broadcast Journalism.
These include the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC), Daystar University, Maseno University, Kenyatta University, and the University of Nairobi.
Salaries for radio presenters depends on a host of issues among them experience of the presenter, reach of the radio station (whether national, regional or community), and the popularity of the show one is hosting.
Currently, some presenters in Kenya reportedly earn as high as one million shillings each month.
Some of the popular radio presenters in the country include; Alex Mwakideu and Jalas of Milele FM, Maina Kageni and Mwalimu King’ang’i of Classic and Radio Jambo’s Gidi and Ghost.
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