TV47 and Radio 47 are owned by Cape Media, one of the youngest entrants in Kenya’s media industry. However, the company is giving the big brothers, including Royal Media Services and the listed Standard Group a run for their money, if recent transfers and signings are anything to go by.
Founded by Mount Kenya University – MKU Chairman, Prof Simon Gicharu, the media house is increasingly becoming attractive to Kenyan journalists and media personalities.
One of the latest signings for Cape media is Shatta Bway, who was a celebrated presenter on Radio Citizen and Citizen TV, owned by business magnet SK Macharia.
In a statement, the media house revealed that Shatta, known for his trademark locks, sheng and love for reggae music, had joined the station as show host and also the company’s new director of projects and strategy for Maybets.
TV47 goes for Standard Group, RMS stars
Among the prominent presenters that TV47 poached included, Alex Mwakideu a popular breakfast show host. Before Mwakideu joined Cape Media, he was at Milele FM.
However, the Standard Group suffered the heaviest blow, losing Emmanuel Mwashumbe, Fred Indimuli, George Maringa, Ahmed Bahajj, Hassan Mwana wa Ali, Mwalimu Mbaruk, Linda Oriaso, Geofrey Mung’ou among others to Cape Media.
Former Citizen TV 10/10 host, Willis Raburu also left Citizen to join TV47.
Gicharu’s story is one of grass to grace, having shot from a milk vendor to one of the country’s renowned billionaires.
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Simon Gicharu was born in 1964 in Gathiruini village in Kiambu County.
The tycoon is the first born in a family of seven.
Simon Gicharu Family Background
His parents, Stephen Gicharu and Alice Wambui Gicharu, worked as peasant farmers, and the family’s income was often insufficient.
To supplement their earnings, Gicharu and his siblings worked on coffee farms.
His upbringing as the eldest child instilled in him a sense of responsibility and drive for achievement.
Beyond his contributions to academia, Gicharu holds other positions, serving as the Chairman of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation and the National Private Universities Owners Association of Kenya.
He is also the visionary behind the Equip Africa Institute and the Mount Kenya University Graduate Enterprise Academy.
His influence extends to various sectors, evident in his role as a board member at Thika Water and Sewerage Company and as the patron of Inter Universities Rover Moot under the Kenya Scouts Association.
In recognition of his entrepreneurial prowess, Gicharu was honored as the Eastern African Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015.
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He attended Kiawairia Primary School and later joined Gathiruini Secondary School before assuming leadership as the captain at Murang’a High School.
Education Background
Gicharu later joined Kenyatta University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Chemistry.
This was later followed by further studies in Managing Enterprise Development at Cranfield University in Britain through a scholarship in 1995.
Returning to Kenya equipped with newfound knowledge and skills, he established the Kenya Entrepreneurship Promotion Program (KEPP), later evolving into the Thika School of Management Studies (TSMS).
Founder of MKU
This venture laid the foundation for the establishment of Mount Kenya University (MKU) in 2008, which attained full charter status three years later, solidifying its reputation as a distinguished institution of higher learning.
In addition to his endeavors in education, Gicharu made significant strides in the media industry through Cape Media, the parent company of TV47 and Radio 47.
Despite being just five years old, TV47 has established itself as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing TV station.
Later, Radio47 was launched in March 2023 and has also garnered a significant following.
In October 2023, the MKU founder was appointed as the Chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) by President William Ruto.
