The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has issued a show-cause notice to Kameme FM over a series of broadcasts that allegedly contained offensive language, unverified political allegations and breaches of professional journalism standards.
In a letter dated June 16, 2026, addressed to Mediamax Network Limited Chief Executive Officer Ken Ngaruiya, the Council raised concerns about content aired on the station’s popular Arahuka and Canjamuka programmes between June 8 and June 15.
The action followed a complaint filed by a member of the public, Henry Mburu, who accused the station of airing content that was biased and potentially capable of fuelling ethnic tensions.
Following a review of recordings and transcripts from the broadcasts, the Council concluded that while the material did not meet the threshold for hate speech or ethnic incitement, several aspects of the programmes appeared to breach provisions of the Code of Conduct for Media Practice, 2025.
At the centre of the findings was presenter Muthoni wa Kirumba, popularly known as Baby Top.
According to the Council, one of the most serious incidents occurred on June 9 during the Canjamuka programme when the presenter allegedly directed an insult at former political aspirant Paul Waiganjo during a live broadcast.
The remarks, delivered in Kikuyu, translated to “You, dog, you are not God.”
The Council found the language vulgar, offensive and unjustified in the context of public broadcasting. The regulator also questioned why the station’s mandatory seven-second delay mechanism failed to prevent the remarks from reaching listeners.
The Council further examined broadcasts aired on June 11 in which Baby Top allegedly claimed that Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria was orchestrating a campaign against Kameme FM and attempting to frame the station over allegations of incitement linked to events in Ol Kalou.
The programme also reportedly referenced the Pangani Six matter and warned against what was described on air as a witch-hunt targeting Baby Top, Kameme FM, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and businessman Gatonye Mbugua.
According to the Council, those allegations were presented to audiences without evidence of prior verification and without affording the individuals mentioned an opportunity to respond.
Another programme aired on June 14 attracted scrutiny after the presenter alleged that her personal phone number and location had been leaked online and linked the incident to political actors and security agencies.
The Council found no indication that the claims had been independently verified before being broadcast.
In its findings, the regulator cited possible violations of several clauses of the Code of Conduct for Media Practice.
The Council said the station may have breached Clause 4 on accuracy and fairness by failing to verify allegations before presenting them as fact. It also cited Clause 5, which requires journalists and broadcasters to distinguish clearly between fact, comment and opinion while ensuring fairness to subjects of coverage.
Clause 8, which addresses political neutrality and perceptions of partiality, was also flagged after the broadcasts created the impression of political alignment. The Council further cited Clause 11 relating to editorial safeguards in live broadcasting, particularly the requirement for delay mechanisms capable of filtering offensive content before transmission.
The regulator additionally pointed to Clause 15, which prohibits the broadcast of obscene, offensive or vulgar language unless justified by an overriding public interest, and Clause 12, which places ultimate responsibility for published or broadcast content on editors and media organisations.
Despite the concerns raised, the Council stated that available evidence did not support a finding of hate speech or ethnic incitement. However, it concluded that there had been sufficient grounds to warrant regulatory intervention and issued a Notice to Show Cause requiring the station to explain why enforcement action should not be taken.
Kameme FM has been directed to submit a detailed response by June 19, outlining the editorial controls applied during the broadcasts and explaining the measures in place to ensure compliance with professional standards.
Failure to respond could expose the station to sanctions under the Media Council Act, 2013.
The development places one of Kenya’s most influential vernacular radio stations under renewed scrutiny. Kameme FM commands a significant audience across the Mt Kenya region and has long been a powerful platform in shaping political and social discourse among Kikuyu-speaking listeners.
The case also revives longstanding debates about the role of vernacular media during politically sensitive periods. Following the 2007-08 post-election violence, several inquiries highlighted the influence that local-language radio stations can wield in shaping public opinion and community sentiment.
In recent months, both the Media Council of Kenya and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission have repeatedly warned media houses against disseminating inflammatory, misleading or ethnically charged content as political activity intensifies ahead of future electoral contests.
Media analysts argue that while vernacular stations play a critical role in expanding access to information, their influence also demands strict adherence to professional standards of accuracy, fairness and editorial responsibility.
The Council’s notice signals an increasingly firm regulatory approach toward enforcing those standards while balancing constitutional protections for freedom of expression and media independence.
Kameme FM’s response will now be closely watched by regulators, media practitioners and political actors, with the outcome likely to shape expectations for vernacular broadcasters across the country.
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