Community Radio Operations In Kenya: Case Studies Of Selected Community Radio Stations

The purpose of the study was to identify the challenges in setting up and operating a CRS \nin Kenya. The theoretical framework used was participatory communication approach. \nA descriptive survey research design was used where questionnaires and interviews were \ntools for data collection. The research site was Nairobi County where the sampled radio \nstations - Koch FM, Ghetto FM and Pamoja FM are located. Purposive sampling \ntechnique was used to select 49 respondents for interviews, that is, the 3 station \nmanagers, 6 workers, 36 listeners, 3 engineers and 1 CCK personnel. The data was \nanalyzed by the use of computer software called SPSS. \nAccording to the findings, some of the major challenges facing the community radio \nstations are lack of salary or poor remuneration, inadequate equipment, low capacity \ngenerators, insufficient working space, unprofessional productions and high staff \nturnover. These challenges are due to lack of finances since the CRS are not allowed to \nadvertise to make money. The major ways to tackle these challenges are to get funding \nand get other ways of raising money like promotions. Most of the challenges facing the \ncommunity radio stations are financial in nature. \nThe outcome of this study indicates that the CRS are in need of financial support. \nAlternative means should be found to support CRS including government funds, and \npermits to advertise in order to raise money for operations. The donors, sponsors and the \nlocal community should put more effort in supporting these stations.