Ghetto Radio has grown to be one of Kenya’s biggest urban Radio stations that empowers the youth in the language they understand better. The radio station has cemented its name as Kenya’s official Sheng radio station.
With 42 tribes, most tribes have tried to launch a radio station that fits the language and culture of their people. The Sheng language is one of the most used language among the youths that resides in urban areas especially Nairobi.
The language originated with genge music in the early 2000s and its growth mostly in the slums of Nairobi led to the establishment of Ghetto Radio. The radio is among the popular station in Nairobi and in our feature we look at the successful journey of Ghetto Radio owner.
Who Owns Ghetto Radio?
The sheng-based media house was founded in 2007 by Maria Mbeneka, the wife of former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Mureithi. Despite investing in a media business, Mbeneka is a veteran Kenyan lawyer with vast experience exceeding over 18 years.
Maria boasts a Bachelor of Social Legislation Degree BSL and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Dr. Babasahed Ambedkar Marathwada University, India. She also holds a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
As a career woman, she has served in different organizations both in public and private institutions. In 2008, she served as the Secretary & CEO of the Athletic Kenya Disciplinary Committee, Athletics Kenya. After that, she served at the Industrial Property Tribunal holding the capacity of a member and Vice Chair.
On top of that, she was also a council member of the Law Society of Kenya where she served as the Treasurer & General Member Representation serving in that capacity for two years from 2018-2020. Prior to that she served at the Young Women Leadership Institute at the Nairobi Advisory Board.
Membership
Currently, she is a member of the Commonwealth Lawyer Association (CLA) where she represents East Africa and Seychelles. Additionally, she is also a member of the Kenya Red Cross Society where she serves as a member of the Election Grievances Committee.
Serving as the First Lady
Being the wife to former Laikipia governor, Mbeneka automatically became the first lady of the county assuming all the roles of county first lady. During her tenure in that capacity, she played a major role in transforming the lives of women and youths in her county.
She spearheaded the Hongera Mama Kit Initiative, the initiative was meant to gift expectant mothers who abandoned home delivery and accessed health facilities in the county. As part of the incentive, each skilled delivery received a goat through the ‘supen e Ndiritu’ program.
This was a program that was dedicated in Laikipia North where home delivery was common and she wanted all women to have safe deliveries at government facilities. She also advocated for the Linda Mama initiative and helped women of her county to enroll in the program.
Founding Ghetto Radio
In 2007, Maria made a bold move and did what many couldn’t attempt, instead of launching a Swahili or English media house, she decided to launch a Sheng media house. Sheng is one of the most used languages among the urban youths and creating something that could relate to them attracted so many young Kenyans and through that, she was able to empower them.
According to her, this is among the best business decision she has ever made and she is proud of what it has become. Currently, she is serving as the director and chairperson of the board. Ghetto Radio brought Mbusi and Bonoko to the limelight and currently, they are among the radio representatives Kenya has ever had.
Maria Mbeneka Wealth and Family
Mbeneka is married to the former Laikipia Governor, Nderitu Mureithi one of the richest politicians in Kenya. Speaking of family wealth, they are worth over Ksh 6 billion.