Kenyans are mourning the death of veteran broadcaster Amina Fakii, whose distinctive voice and professionalism helped define the country’s radio culture for decades.
Fakii died on 21 December at the age of 83, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the media industry and beyond. She was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of public broadcasting in Kenya, with a career that spanned several decades at the Voice of Kenya, now the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
The Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency in the Executive Office of the President, Eliud Owalo, described Fakii as a trailblazer whose influence reached far beyond the radio studio. He said her voice, discipline and dedication to public service inspired generations of broadcasters and played a central role in shaping Kenya’s media landscape.
“Her legacy will continue to live on through the many lives she touched on and off air,” Owalo said, conveying condolences to her family, colleagues and the wider KBC fraternity.
Fakii became a household name through her calm delivery, engaging on air presence and unwavering commitment to accuracy and public service. Listeners across the country came to associate her voice with credibility and trust, while colleagues recall her as a mentor who set high professional standards.
Over the years, she earned admiration for her integrity and ability to connect with audiences from diverse backgrounds. Her work helped shape the evolution of radio broadcasting in Kenya, at a time when the medium played a central role in informing, educating and uniting the nation.
Tributes also came from political leaders, including the Mining cabinet secretary Hassan Joho, who described Fakii as a legendary media personality whose contribution to the country was immense. He praised her dedication and professionalism, saying her legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
Like the late Leonard Mambo Mbotela, Fakii is remembered as part of a generation that used radio not just as entertainment, but as a public trust. Her voice and work remain a lasting testament to the power of broadcasting in shaping national life.
