Fans of Qwetu Radio have taken to social media to air their disappointment with the recent changes at the station since the departure of the pioneer MD Vincent Ateya who headed to Royal Media Services, in April this year.
Soo disappointing indeed. Qweturadio are loosing the way n very soon there will be no Qweturadio @QwetuRadio @mariammanono @DennisObara11 @Kavosa_bena @aggy_wamukoya #QwetuAsubuhi
— Namande Nicholas (@Nichola64214645) September 10, 2018
The irate fans seem to be annoyed with the introduction of non-rhumba programmes notably Mazagazaga, a Taarab show hosted by June Dezina Vel (Tausi), Qwetu Beats and One Drop Reggae (playing Bongo Flavour and Reggae music respectively), both hosted by Kijana Patpat, whom they now claim is arrogant.
Moreover, the fans are demanding reinstatement of the recently sacked employees who include Mercy Alomba (Reporter), Beldeen Waliuala (Business news anchor), Julius Jumah Mlavidavi (News anchor and show host), DJ Suspence Moyebi (The station’s official rhumba deejay) and Kaka Sam (The station’s digital manager and official photographer, who took to twitter to express his disappointment).
All these seem to have emanated from last weekend’s Rhumba Night hosted in Egesa Villa in Umoja Estate where despite fans paying Kshs. 300 each to interact with their favourite presenters only a handful showed up with the head of radio Joseph Marwa remaining in studio to host a night show dubbed Rhumba Sato.
However Marwa and Master Mogaka took to twitter to air their apologies for failing to attend the rhumba night but the fans could not take any of it.
We are sorry to our fans for not showing up on Saturday due to an avoided circumstances @QwetuRadio @maliloblessed @MsupaBesh #QwetuAsubuhi
— JOSEPH MAROA (@maroa_wambura) September 10, 2018
One fan on Twitter by the name Bentaah Wa Qwetu, who is said to be the station’s fans’ coordinator, expressed her disappointment with the management for failing to attend the rhumba night.
Very disappointed, tangu lini tukiwa na Rhumba night na Show inaendelea, New #tag day and night revisit this Changes you guys are making day and night tunapotea #QwetuAsubuhi
— Bentaah Wa Qwetu:95.3(Brand Ambassador ) (@MsupaBesh) September 10, 2018
On reaching out to the station’s head of radio Joseph Marwa via a phone call, he confirmed that the changes in the type of music played is for the betterment of the station and that the sacked presenters are not by any chance coming back since hiring and firing is part of any organization.
He further refuted claims that he had taken over the comedian role in the morning show (Qwetu Asubuhi) leaving Master Mogaka to play presenter’s role.
The media house which has continued to play only rhumba music since its inception in early 2016 until recently, is said to be facing a financial crisis with several high profile employees quitting in search for greener pastures, among them celebrated presenter Vincent Ateya, Selly Kadot Amutabi, Edwin Obuya and Maureen Ojiambo who all left for Royal Media Services, Busara Naaman who now anchors 7PM news for Ebru TV, Ria Dzombo, Awinja, Zuleikha, Mercy Alomba, Julius Jumah Mlavidavi and Beldeen Waliuala whose whereabouts are still unknown.