KBC presenters in 2026: names, photos, profiles, and shows
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
KBC Channel 1 is a government-owned broadcaster with a talented mix of veteran and rising news anchors in 2026. Owned by the Government of Kenya, the station relaunched in June 2021 with seasoned journalists and continues to air news bulletins, entertainment, and cultural programming for Kenyan viewers. Speaking during the launch, KBC's Editor-in-Chief, Samuel Maina, said:
"The market has been yearning for these anchors...They are very experienced and will train upcoming anchors."
Key takeaways
- KBC Channel 1 is the country's oldest television channel, founded on 1 October 1962.
- The station is headed by Agnes Kalekye Nguna, appointed Managing Director in October 2024 — KBC's first female MD.
- Tom Mboya regularly co-hosts the 9 pm Prime Edition alongside Muchuma Odim II; Harith Salim and Nancy Onyancha host the 7 pm Swahili bulletin Darubini.
- Catherine Kasavuli (Kenya's first female TV news anchor) and Badi Muhsin (legendary Swahili anchor) both passed away in 2022 and 2021, respectively, after rejoining KBC's relaunch.
- Famous female KBC presenters in 2026 include Nancy Onyancha, Cynthia Nyamai, Elizah Kimani, Lydiah Nyairabu, and Vivian Ndegwa.
Who is the owner of KBC Channel?
KBC Channel 1 is owned by the Government of Kenya. The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) is a state broadcaster established under the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Act (CAP 221).
The corporation is supervised by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy. Agnes Kalekye Nguna serves as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, a three-year appointment confirmed on 30 October 2024. She is KBC's first female MD.
Tom Mshindi chairs the Board of Directors. Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau (sworn in January 2025) oversees KBC at ministry level.
Who are the current directors of KBC?
KBC is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the President and the Cabinet Secretary. The current leadership includes:
- Agnes Kalekye Nguna - Managing Director / CEO
- Tom Mshindi - Board Chairman
- William Kabogo Gitau - Supervising CS
Agnes Kalekye Nguna previously served as Chief Operating Officer at The Star Publications and as Chair of the Media Owners Association. She succeeded acting MD Paul Macharia, who held the role from December 2023.
KBC presenters in 2026: names, ages, and profiles
Here are some of the most famous KBC presenters in 2026.
Presenter | Role |
Tom Mboya | Prime Edition anchor |
Cynthia Nyamai | Business Insight anchor |
Nancy Onyancha | Darubini presenter |
Harith Salim | Darubini anchor |
Ahmed Juma Bhalo | 7pm bulletin anchor |
1. Tom Mboya - Prime Edition anchor
- Full name: Tom Mboya
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Profession: Broadcast journalist, news anchor
- Show: Prime Edition (9 pm, weekdays)
Tom Mboya is one of Kenya's most recognisable broadcast journalists. He began his career in the hospitality industry before switching to media. CNN recognised him as the best journalist on the African continent in 2012.
He worked at Citizen TV and K24 before joining KBC in 2021. At KBC, he co-anchors the 9 pm Prime Edition with Irene Muchuma-Odim. The pair present the flagship English-language bulletin.
2. Cynthia Nyamai - Business Insight anchor
- Full name: Cynthia Nyamai
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Education: Bachelor of Journalism, United States International University – Africa
- Profession: News anchor, PR consultant, talk show host
- Show: Business Insight (KBC Channel 1)
Cynthia Nyamai is one of Kenya's most decorated business journalists. She won the Best Upcoming Business Journalist in Africa award at the Diageo Business Awards, becoming the first Kenyan to receive the honour.
She launched her career at KTN as a business reporter before becoming a PR consultant. She joined KBC in 2021 to co-anchor Business Insight, where she alternates with Betty Kiptum and Carol Njenga. Nyamai is also the host of the popular Cynthia Nyamai Show on YouTube.
3. Nancy Onyancha - Darubini presenter
- Full name: Nancy Onyancha
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Profession: Broadcast journalist, news presenter
- Show: Darubini (7 pm Swahili bulletin, with Harith Salim)
- Marital Status: Married to Joab Mwaura (since 2018)
Nancy Onyancha is one of the most prominent female KBC presenters in 2026. She hosts Darubini, KBC's flagship 7 pm Swahili bulletin, alongside Harith Salim every Monday evening.
She has over ten years of experience across six media houses, including Switch TV, K24, and Mediamax. She originally aspired to be a lawyer before choosing journalism.
4. Harith Salim - Darubini anchor
- Full name: Harith Salim
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Profession: Swahili news anchor
- Show: Darubini (7 pm, with Nancy Onyancha)
Harith Salim is KBC's Swahili news anchor. He joined during the 2021 relaunch and co-presents Darubini at 7 pm. The bulletin covers national and international news in Swahili.
5. Ahmed Juma Bhalo - 7 pm bulletin anchor
- Full name: Ahmed Juma Bhalo
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Profession: Swahili news anchor
- Show: 7 pm Swahili news (Tuesday/Wednesday)
Ahmed Juma Bhalo co-presents the 7 pm Swahili bulletin on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with Beatrice Gatonye Ngetich.
Other KBC presenters in 2026
- Elizah Kimani: Host of the Y254 Morning Talk Show (KBC's youth entertainment channel), who won TV Host of the Year at the 2026 Wezesha Awards.
- Victor Oloo: Political and current affairs host anchoring the Good Morning Kenya (GMK) program.
- Beatrice Gatonye Ngetich: One of the primary anchors for the 7:00 PM flagship Swahili news bulletin, Darubini.
- Carren Kibbett: Prominent news anchor co-hosting the Easy Friday bulletin.
- John Kago: Veteran prime-time anchor delivering major flagship news alongside Carren Kibbett.
- Betty Kiptum: Anchor heading prime bulletins such as KBC Prime Edition.
- Marie Yambo: On-screen host anchors specialized prime segments including the Legends Edition.
- Giverson Maina: Daytime news presenter anchoring bulletins like the KBC Lunchtime News.
- Rashid Mwamkondo: Cross-platform broadcaster presenting on both KBC Channel 1 TV and Radio Taifa
KBC legends who passed away
KBC has lost several legendary broadcasters who left an indelible mark on Kenyan media, including pioneer female news anchor Catherine Kasavuli and iconic Swahili presenter Badi Muhsin.
Catherine Kasavuli (1962–2022)
- Full name: Catherine Kiza Kasavuli
- Date of birth: 22 February 1962
- Date of death: 29 December 2022, aged 60
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Education: Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
- Cause of death: Cervical cancer
- Award: Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (2008)
Catherine Kasavuli was Kenya's first female television news anchor. She joined the Voice of Kenya (now KBC) as a radio continuity announcer in 1980 and transitioned to television in 1985.
She spent 17 years at KTN after its launch in 1990, becoming the first anchor to broadcast live on Kenyan television. She later moved to Citizen TV in 2007 and retired in 2015.
In July 2021, she made a celebrated comeback to KBC, anchoring the Saturday Legends Edition. She was hospitalised at Kenyatta National Hospital in October 2022 and passed away on 29 December 2022 from cervical cancer. She was 60.
She is survived by her son, Martin, born in 1981, and leaves behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in Kenyan broadcast journalism. She also founded Kasavuli Media Group Limited, which operates a broadcaster training school. Nation Africa wrote this as her tribute.
"She was a trailblazer who preferred to keep her personal life private, but her on-screen presence defined a generation of Kenyan broadcasting."
Badi Muhsin (1954–2021)
- Full name: Badi Muhsin
- Year of birth: 1954
- Date of death: 8 October 2021, aged 67
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Profession: Swahili news anchor
- Award: Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), 2011
Badi Muhsin was one of Kenya's greatest Swahili broadcast journalists. Born in 1954 in Kitui County to a family with roots in Mombasa, he joined KBC in 1980 and became famous for the Kiswahili news show Dira ya Dunia.
He retired in 2002 and was recognised for his long service with the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) in 2011. In 2020, he returned from retirement to anchor the Saturday Dira Ya Magwiji at 7 pm on KBC.
Muhsin passed away on 8 October 2021 in Mombasa, just months after KBC's major relaunch.
Latest news
- Elizah Kimani, the vibrant host of the Y254 Morning Talk Show, officially won TV Host of the Year at the 2026 Wezesha Awards Gala.
- KBC confirmed broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving Kenyan viewers free-to-air access to the tournament.
FAQ
- Who is the owner of KBC Channel? KBC Channel 1 is owned by the Government of Kenya. It operates under the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Act (CAP 221) as a wholly state-owned broadcaster.
- Who are the current directors of KBC in 2026? The Managing Director is Agnes Kalekye Nguna (appointed October 2024). The Board is chaired by Tom Mshindi. Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau supervises KBC at government level.
- Who are the KBC presenters in 2026? Current anchors include Tom Mboya, Muchuma Odim II (Prime Edition, 9 pm), Harith Salim, Nancy Onyancha (Darubini, 7 pm), Cynthia Nyamai (Business Insight), Pauline Sheghu (Legends, Saturday), and Ahmed Juma Bhalo (7 pm Swahili).
- Who are some famous female TV presenters at KBC in Kenya? Prominent female KBC presenters include Nancy Onyancha (Darubini), Purity Museo (Prime Edition), Cynthia Nyamai (Business Insight), Pauline Sheghu (Legends), and Betty Kiptum (Business Insight). The late Catherine Kasavuli remains Kenya's most celebrated female broadcaster.
- Who are the presenters of KBC Sundowner? The 2023 KBC English Service Sundowner was emceed by John Obongo Jr, Catherine Ndonye, and John Karani. Lineups vary per event — check kbc.co.ke for current hosts.
- How old are the KBC presenters? Ages vary across the team. Fred Indimuli, who briefly joined KBC in 2021, was born on 6 January 1984 (41 years old in 2025). Catherine Kasavuli was 60 at the time of her death in December 2022. Ages for current anchors like Nancy Onyancha and Cynthia Nyamai are not publicly confirmed.
- What happened to Catherine Kasavuli? Catherine Kasavuli, Kenya's first female news anchor, passed away on 29 December 2022 at age 60 from cervical cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital. She had rejoined KBC in July 2021 for the station's relaunch.
- What happened to Badi Muhsin? Veteran Swahili anchor Badi Muhsin died on 8 October 2021 in Mombasa, aged 67. He had rejoined KBC in 2020 to anchor the Saturday Dira Ya Magwiji bulletin.
The list of KBC presenters features a mix of seasoned and modern talent, who not only continue to dominate the screens but also grab awards for their outstanding work. Through flagship programs like the Prime Edition, Darubini, and the Sundowner, these presenters uphold KBC's role as a trusted media powerhouse in Kenya.
Tuko.co.ke also listed the highest-paid radio presenters in Kenya. The country has many talented radio hosts, some of whom have become a staple, particularly on the morning breakfast shows. Their ability to hold listeners' attention has earned them a serious pay cheque.
Radio hosts like Maina Kageni, Jeff Koinange, and Daniel “Churchill” Ndambuki have gone on to earn eye-watering salaries. Follow the above to learn more.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.