Morris Gituku

<h2 class="mb-3 mt-8 text-[1.4rem] font-[475] leading-[1.5em] first:mt-3">Hot 96 FM Kenya: The Pulse of Urban Entertainment and Timeless Hits</h2>
<table class="w-full">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Detail</th>
<th>Information</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Genre</strong></td>
<td>Urban Contemporary (R&amp;B, hip-hop, African beats, reggae, dancehall)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Broadcast Frequency</strong></td>
<td>Nairobi &amp; Thika (96.0 FM), Nakuru (102.5 FM), Eldoret (90.4 FM), Nyeri (88.6 FM), Kisumu &amp; Kisii (103.1 FM)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Coverage Region</strong></td>
<td>Nairobi, Thika, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyahururu</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Languages</strong></td>
<td>English, Swahili</td>
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<tr>
<td><strong>Ownership</strong></td>
<td>Royal Media Services (RMS)</td>
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<tr>
<td><strong>Founded</strong></td>
<td>2006</td>
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<td><strong>Contact Information</strong></td>
<td>Phone: +254 719 060 000<br>Email: digitalsales@royalmedia.co.ke<br>Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://hot96.co.ke/">hot96.co.ke</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Studio Address</strong></td>
<td>Maalim Juma Road Off Dennis Pritt Road, P.O. Box 7468, Nairobi, Kenya</td>
</tr>
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<td><strong>Social Media</strong></td>
<td><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hot96FMKenya/">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hot_96kenya">X/Twitter</a></td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<hr>
<h2>Station History &amp; Background</h2>
<p>Hot 96 FM launched in 2006 under Royal Media Services (RMS), Kenya's largest private media conglomerate founded by billionaire Samuel Kamau Macharia. Originally branded as&nbsp;<em>Yfm96</em>, the station rebranded to&nbsp;<em>Hot 96</em>&nbsp;to align with its urban, youth-oriented programming. Over 15 years, it evolved from a Nairobi-centric station to a national network, expanding its FM frequencies to seven counties by 2021.</p>
<p>The station's 2021 studio relaunch marked its 15th anniversary, cementing its reputation as Kenya's premier urban music hub. Today, Hot 96 ranks among Kenya's top 5 radio stations by listenership, targeting 18&ndash;45-year-olds in urban and peri-urban areas. Its bilingual format (70% English, 30% Swahili) bridges Kenya's multicultural audiences, while its focus on aspirational lifestyles&mdash;wealth, relationships, and social media trends&mdash;resonates with modern Kenyan youth.</p>
<hr>
<h2>Programming Highlights</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Show Name</th>
<th>Schedule</th>
<th>Description</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>The Hot Breakfast</strong></td>
<td>Weekdays 6&ndash;10 AM</td>
<td>Flagship morning show co-hosted by Jeff Koinange and Nick Odhiambo, blending news, humor, and audience interaction.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Rhythm Junction</strong></td>
<td>Daily</td>
<td>Curates urban Kenyan and international hits, featuring R&amp;B, dancehall, and Afrobeat.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Hot Drive</strong></td>
<td>Weekdays 4&ndash;7 PM</td>
<td>Evening drive-time show with music mixes, traffic updates, and celebrity interviews.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>The Morning After</strong></td>
<td>Saturdays 8&ndash;11 AM</td>
<td>Lifestyle and relationship talk show hosted by Cynthia Mwangi, featuring listener call-ins.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<hr>
<h2>Notable Personalities</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<p><strong>Jeff Koinange</strong></p>
<p>Veteran journalist and lead anchor of&nbsp;<em>The Hot Breakfast</em>. Known for his bold interview style, Koinange has shaped the station's news-driven morning programming since 2016.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Nick Odhiambo</strong></p>
<p>Co-host of&nbsp;<em>The Hot Breakfast</em>&nbsp;since 2010. Odhiambo's rapport with Koinange and mastery of Kenyan pop culture have made the show a ratings leader.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Cynthia Mwangi</strong></p>
<p>Station manager and host of&nbsp;<em>The Morning After</em>. A 10-year RMS veteran, Mwangi rose from intern to leadership while championing women's representation in media.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Hot 96 FM stands out as Kenya's definitive urban radio brand, combining Royal Media's resources with locally resonant programming. Its bilingual format and nationwide coverage enable unique engagement with Kenya's youth, while personalities like Koinange and Mwangi drive cultural relevance. As RMS invests in digital expansion, Hot 96 is poised to lead Kenya's radio evolution, blending terrestrial broadcasting with online interactivity. For 19 years, the station has soundtracked Kenyan progress&mdash;one beat at a time.</p>

Kenya

Hot 96 FM delivers Kenya's ultimate urban soundscape, blending contemporary hits with nostalgic 90s grooves across multiple regions. Tune in for pop, R&B, African beats, reggae, and dancehall – listen live to experience Nairobi's vibrant radio culture.

Hot 96 FM

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