•Radio Africa Group founder and former CEO Patrick Quarcoo, who also founded the show, said he decided to host a ‘reunion’ edition because the country is at crossroads.
•The show was co-hosted by Radio Africa Group’s Head of Content Paul Ilado.
Kenya’s biggest political show in two decades, The Crossfire, made a final return to the airwaves on Sunday evening.
The show ended 17 years ago, having ruled Kenya’s political airwaves for many years.
Radio Africa Group founder and former CEO Patrick Quarcoo, who also founded the show, said he decided to host a ‘reunion’ edition because the country is at crossroads.
The episode was aired 6pm-7pm on all Radio Africa Group radio stations and digital platforms.
“This is the talkshow that shaped the nation’s democracy for years. The biggest question today is whether Kenya will have a great reset or will it be business as usual,” he said, setting off the heated discussions on Sunday.
The show was co-hosted by Radio Africa Group’s Head of Content Paul Ilado.
“Seventeen years ago I signed off this show for the last time. Many things have happened. President Mwai Kibaki and President Uhuru served and left. Kenya also elected President William Ruto. Two panelists Mutula Kilonzo and Otieno Kajwang died,” Ilado said.
Sunday’ show, the last – at least for now – featured senior counsel Judy Thongori, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, the former head of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, political activist Tony Gachoka, and young activist Wanjira Wanjiru.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura and Senator Moses Kajwang were among the Kenyans who called in.
Wanjiru said the Cabinet reshuffle was not enough and the Gen Z protests would continue.
“The President has shown he’s not willing to listen to the thousands of Kenyans who went to the streets. We are very serious about corruption and ending tyranny,” she said.
Dr Kituyi, who also served as Kenya’s Trade and Investment minister under Kibaki, said the Cabinet reshuffle will not end the current ills.
“The problem Kenyans had was arrogance, this cannot be cured by changing a few faces.
Don’t ever waste a crisis, a crisis is an opportunity. Kenyans’ problem is arrogance of executive, overbearing executive. These problems including unfettered borrowing and wastage, cannot be solved through Cabinet changes,” he said.
Mukhisa also opposed Opposition leader Raila Odinga joining the government.
Lawyer Thongori said Raila should not join the government.
“It will not make a difference having him there. It will not make the President listen to what the Gen Z are saying,” she said.
The lawyer said the individuals appointed last week to the Cabinet did not meet the bar.
“The President should have given us persons who have deep understanding of ministries to give an indication he heard us. He did the opposite. Kenyans are most educated people in Africa. Why would President choose mediocrity,” she said.
Quarcoo, who steered the discussions, said what Kenyans need now are solutions.
Quarcoo is a decorated journalist who founded RAG and steered the company into one of East Africa’s biggest media companies and definitely the biggest radio group.
He retired from his position as CEO last month but will still play a role as a shareholder and assist in shaping policies.
Kiprono Kittony, the Radio Africa Group board chair last month said RAG Chief Operating Officer Martin Khafafa would take over as CEO on an interim basis.
Kittony said RAG was grateful for Quarcoo’s dedication and leadership over the years.
"His contributions have laid a strong foundation for our future. As we embark on this new chapter, we aim to leverage our digital platforms more aggressively and ensure sustainable growth and continue to deliver value for our advertising partners,” Kittony said.
He said the retirement of Quarcoo comes at a time when the media landscape is rapidly changing.
"By refocusing our efforts on digital innovation, we are poised to deliver even more compelling content and improve our profitability. We thank Quarcoo for his years of service and wish him all the best in his retirement,” Kittony added.
He said Quarcoo has been instrumental in growing its portfolio to six radio stations, a national newspaper and digital assets reaching millions of Kenyans.
In a statement on his exit, Quarcoo reflected on his journey at Radio Africa Group.
He notes that even as he exits, he is hopeful that the company is in a pivotal phase.
"As I retire, Radio Africa Group is entering a pivotal phase of its journey. This transition provides a unique opportunity for the company to realign its strategies, focusing on cost efficiencies, enhancing our profitability and content initiatives."