For decades, the gentle yet commanding voice of Charles Omuga Kabisae floated across Kenyan airwaves — a steady companion in times of celebration, grief, and quiet reflection. On Monday night, 11 August, 2025, that voice fell silent. Kabisae passed away after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy that transcends the microphone.
Born in Nyamasaria, Kisumu County, Kabisae grew up in a community where storytelling was woven into everyday life. Radio was not just a source of news; it was a bridge to the wider world. As a young man, he found himself drawn to the craft — first as a listener, then as a voice, others would come to know, trust and embrace.
He began his career at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation’s Dholuo Service in Kisumu, where his deep, resonant tone immediately stood out. In the early 1990s, opportunity called from Nairobi, and Kabisae moved to join KBC’s Kiswahili Service. It was here that his voice found its most enduring role: delivering matangazo maalum — special announcements and obituaries.
He also controlled various entertainment programs among them salamu za adhuhuri (afternoon greetings).
It is no exaggeration to say that Kabisae redefined the way such news was shared. He carried each announcement with dignity, pacing his words so that they conveyed not just information, but compassion. In moments of loss, his delivery became a balm — steady, respectful, and human.
Bizarre
One story from his early days still circulates among colleagues: as an intern, Kabisae once announced the passing of a man who, it turned out, was very much alive. Faced with the awkward truth, he returned to the microphone and calmly corrected himself. The grace with which he handled that moment caught the attention of KBC managers, cementing his place as a trusted voice for sensitive broadcasts.
Those who worked alongside him speak of a man who never rushed a sentence, who understood that in radio, silence can be as powerful as sound. “He believed a broadcaster’s first job was to serve the listener,” recalls a fellow announcer. “And he lived that belief every single day.”
Listeners, too, felt that connection. For many, Kabisae was not just a newsreader but a familiar presence — the voice that marked the turning of seasons, the passing of leaders, the farewells to loved ones.
In a media landscape now dominated by fast news and fleeting trends, Kabisae remained an anchor of old-school professionalism. He was proof that in an age of noise, a calm, authentic voice could still cut through and be remembered.
[The radio broadcasting maestro Charles Omuga Kabisae. He died after a long illness on Monday, August 11, 2025. Photo/KBC/August, 12, 2025].
Charles Omuga Kabisae, leaves behind his family, countless friends, and a nation that learned to listen a little more closely because of him.
His microphone may be silent, but the echoes of his craft will linger in Kenyan broadcasting for years to come.
