Veteran Kenyan broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka will mark 50 years in broadcasting with a major celebration featuring some of Africa’s renowned rhumba and popular music performers.
The event will bring together international and Kenyan musicians as Fred Obachi marks five decades in broadcasting and his long association with rhumba music through his popular Roga Roga programme.
Fred Obachi Machoka Event Date and Venue and Tickets
The Machoka @50 Grand Concert will be held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Saturday, October 10. The event will run from noon to midnight.
- Date: Saturday, October 10.
- Venue: Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi
- Time: Noon to midnight
Tickets are available through Viutickets in the following categories:
- Regular: KSh5,000
- VIP: KSh15,000
- VVIP: KSh25,000
- Table for six: KSh140,000
Tickets can also be purchased using the USSD code 48727#.
Also Read: Fred Obachi Machoka, Presenter Who Served as a GSU Officer Before His 50-Year Broadcasting Career
Full Lineup for Machoka @50
The event will be headlined by Congolese rumba legend Koffi Olomide and will feature a lineup of international and local artists.
Koffi Olomide
Koffi Olomide is a Congolese singer, songwriter, and producer known for his contributions to Congolese rumba and soukous music. He is the founder of Quartier Latin International.
Mbilia Bel
Mbilia Bel is a veteran Congolese singer known to many Kenyan fans for the hit song “Nakei Nairobi.”
Sam Fan Thomas
Sam Fan Thomas is a Cameroonian musician associated with the makossa genre.
Alicios Theluji
Alicios Theluji is a Kenyan singer-songwriter known for her contemporary African music performances.
Les Wanyika
Les Wanyika is a veteran Kenyan band associated with the East African zilizopendwa and rumba music tradition.
Them Mushrooms
Them Mushrooms are a veteran Kenyan band formed on the Kenyan coast and best known for songs including “Jambo Bwana.”
Freshly Mwamburi
Freshly Mwamburi is a veteran Kenyan musician best known for the hit song “Stella Wangu.”
Fred Obachi Machoka Marks 50 Years in Broadcasting
Fred Obachi is a veteran Kenyan broadcaster who has spent nearly five decades behind the microphone and is known to fans as “Uncle Fred.”
Also Read: Veteran Radio Citizen Journalist Announces Retirement After 50 Years on Air
Before establishing himself in broadcasting, Machoka served as a General Service Unit (GSU) officer before pursuing his career in the media.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) recognized Machoka on July 9, as he marked 50 years in broadcasting.
The recognition formed part of an initiative aimed at honouring veteran media practitioners who have contributed to the development of Kenya’s media industry.
Speaking during the launch of the recognition programme on July 9, MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said the celebrations would honour Machoka alongside other media personalities who have contributed to Kenya’s media industry since independence.
Omwoyo said the initiative was also intended to preserve Kenya’s broadcasting heritage, strengthen institutional platforms for celebrating media excellence and inspire the next generation of media professionals.
The MCK CEO initially said the main celebration would be held in September in Nairobi. The subsequent event listing places the Machoka @50 celebration on October 10, 2026, at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Fred Obachi said his partnership with MCK was intended to contribute to discussions on the professional environment for journalists and the role experienced media practitioners can continue to play after leaving active service.
Speaking during the recognition programme, he said the milestone was not only about celebrating his 50 years in broadcasting but also about using the partnership to contribute to the wider media profession.
“We have gathered here today to prepare how we can celebrate not only the 50 years I have spent in broadcasting, but also how, through our partnership with MCK, we can contribute to having meaningful discussions that can improve the working environment for journalists, including beyond the time when they retire,” said Fred Obachi.
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is a Congolese singer, songwriter and Freshly Mwamburi is a veteran Kenyan musician. PHOTO/Koffi,Mwamburi
