Change of Guard in 99.9 Shine FM and Involvement Newspaper

Incoming and outgoing leaders of 99.9 Shine FM and Involvement Newspaper pose for a group photo at the handover ceremony held at DAC Auditorium, Nairobi Campus, December 5, 2025.

By Munene Mbae

[5th December 2025] New leadership of Involvement Newspaper and 99.9 Shine FM have assumed office. The handover ceremony, which was held at DAC Auditorium, Nairobi Campus attracted renowned media personalities including Dr. Joseph (Joe) Ageyo - Editor-in-Chief, Nation Media Group, Ms. Pamella Sittoni - Public Editor, Nation Media Group, Mr. James Mwamba - Sports Editor, Nation Media Group, Mr. Mark Oloo – Former Editor, Standard Group, Ms. Victoria Momanyi – Former Manager, Shine FM. Mr. Francis Mureithi – Digital Editor, The Star (Radio Africa Group) & Council Member, KEG, Ms. Judy Munyinyi – Distinguished Daystar Alumna & Former True Love Editor, Ms. Maryanne Nyambura – Citizen TV Reporter Mr. Chris Waweru Avram – Communications Specialist, and Ms. Diana Makokha – Presenter, Sulwe FM.

The Keynote speaker for the day was the Assistant Director, in charge of Training and Curriculum Development at the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), Christine Nguku, representing CEO Media Council of Kenya, Mr. David Omwoyo. The renowned veteran journalist gave nuggets of wisdom advising upcoming journalists to always aim at giving the best to their audience. She urged the journalism students to focus not only on negative news, but to strive and give stories that are hopeful and those that bring joy to people. She gave a brief account of how Shine FM was established at Nairobi Campus, when she (Ms. Nguku) and her classmates, including Mercy Oburu would connect wires and broadcast to the Daystar community during mealtimes.

Speaking on the role of mentorship in shaping ethical and innovative communicators, the Dean School of Communication, Prof. Levi Obonyo underscored the importance of Daystar media hubs, saying that the hubs give students a lot of experience. He noted that over the years, quite a few Shine FM reporters have won several awards.

“Shine FM and the Involvement Newspaper are not only platforms for expression but training grounds in preparing students for the dynamic media industry,” he said. “It’s only in shine FM that one can be allowed to make a mistake, which is not the case in media houses,” he added.

Associate Dean, School of Communication, Dr. Lydia Radoli lauded the Daystar University Media Hub leaders for sacrificing their time and effort to work in the media hubs. “You are not just experimenting but contributing to the discourse in Daystar University, as you practice what we are teaching you,” she said, further adding, “We are not here to pass on the role to the new leadership, but to pass on a legacy built in the shine FM studios and Involvement Newsroom.”

Speaking on generative AI and its effects on journalism, Dr. Ageyo submitted that AI is a tool that makes certain processes efficient, but should not be used to generate stories, because it can give erroneous information. Talking on the future of journalism, Mark Oloo said when people want credible information, and in dept analysis, they go to the newspaper.

A panel discussion featuring media experts: Dr. Joseph Ageyo – Editor-in-Chief, Nation Media Group, Ms. Pamella Sittoni – Public Editor, Nation Media Group

Mr. James Mwamba – Sports Editor, Nation Media Group, Mr. Mark Oloo – Former Editor, Standard Group and Ms. Victoria Momanyi – Former Manager, Shine FM discussion. The conversations lingered around navigating digital disruption, redefining investigative journalism and sustaining credibility in an AI-driven landscape. This session was moderated by Lecturer, Nathan Masambu.

The second panel comprised Mr. Francis Mureithi – Digital Editor, The Star (Radio Africa Group) & Council Member, KEG, Ms. Judy Munyinyi – Distinguished Daystar Alumna & Former True Love Editor, Ms. Maryanne Nyambura – Citizen TV Reporter

Rosemary Kowuor – Senior Lecturer, Mr. Chris Waweru Avram – Communications Specialist, and Ms. Diana Makokha – Presenter, Sulwe FM. The Panel was moderated by the Incoming Shine FM station Manager- Kevin Ngati, fondly known as (Son of Radio). Their discussion focused on the topic: Beyond Audio: Leveraging visual tools and technology to revolutionize the radio storytelling experience.

The panelists shared newsroom realities, the future of journalism and the responsibility of truth-telling. The panelists agreed that technology has not come to replace journalism, noting that the journalist has the responsibility of seeking truth and reporting it fairly, accurately, and objectively. On the topic of ethics, it was clear that the responsibility lies squarely on the individual journalist to make individual decisions based on their persuasion.

The handover ceremony marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another within Daystar’s vibrant media hub. The handover ceremony was a reminder that leadership is temporary, but service, integrity, and storytelling endure.

By the end of the ceremony, the new teams stood ready, with determination and the promise to continue shaping the stories of Daystar University through 99.9 Shine FM and the Involvement newspaper, fairly, accurately, and objectively.

Involvement Incoming leadership.