By Special Correspondent

On Saturday January 6, 2007, Kenya Live TV was launched in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.  Over one-hundred people, mainly Kenyans living in Massachusetts, turned up for the event. Wambui Publications, headed by Karanja Kimani, holds the franchise for this satellite Kenya Live TV programming in the US.
The occasion was started off by prayers, followed by the Kenya National Anthem, which was sang in Kiswahili.
      
        Nellie Kathuri and her sister arrive for the launch                      Kenyan pastors blessed the ceremony

Welcoming the guests to the occasion, the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Peter Kagunye, assured guests that the main aim of the service was to showcase talent and to bring home news to the Kenyans living in the US.  “This is your TV station,” he said. Peter explained that the concept started in someone’s mind, but had now come to reality.  He further explained that the service was intended to serve Kenyan subscribers of all professions, age, and creed. The majority of the programming was produced in Kenya, but guests were assured that provisions would be made to accommodate programs from interested individuals and companies in the US. While the target audience was Kenyans living in the US, other viewers and companies were expected to benefit from the service, and to gain exposure from the vast information resources and investment opportunities that will be unveiled.

Amidst loud cheers and continuous applause, the Kenya Live TV banner was unveiled on widescreen, and guests were treated to a preview of a newscast, relayed directly from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.   Among the headlines was the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) grassroots elections, which were scheduled to take place on February 24, 2007. With Kenya Live TV now accessible on satellite, Kenyans in the US did not have to spend money and time calling home for information.
       
        A Kenya Broadcasting corporation newscaster makes    Kenyans in the US watch the first live images from KBC
        debut on the US wide screen                        

As the celebratory mood intensified, the Master of Ceremonies introduced the founders of Kenya Live TV franchise in the US.  Karanja Kimani, an attorney by profession, was introduced as the founding member and CEO; followed by Joseph Kariuki as Vice President, Marketing; and Paul Waithaka as Vice President, Production.  Peter Kagunye could not introduce himself, so a stand-in Master of Ceremonies introduced him as the Accountant. 

The founding members took advantage of the occasion to introduce and shower flowery praises on their wives.  They acknowledged their spouses as the driving force behind their continued perseverance in what they called a tough venture.  Joseph Kariuki, Vice President of Marketing, amused guests by referring to his wife as “Mumbi” (God) in Gikuyu.  The guests rocked with laughter, when he remarked that the first time he saw her in Brockton, he saw Mount Kenya. 
    
   Paul Waithaka (Productions) takes to the mic,  as Peter              Joseph Kariuki (Marketing),  praising his wife
   Kagunye the MC (Accountant), watches with a bright smile

          
The subscription package goes for $19.95 per month, plus a one-time purchase of satellite equipment at $199.00.  The equipment includes a Digital Receiver, WS7630 Dish, Tracker  LNBF, and a subscription Access Card.  Immediate benefits for subscribers include one-month free subscription.  Subscribers could order online, through the company’s website.

Speaking about the advantages of the service, Mr. Robby Dosetareh of WS International, the suppliers of the satellite equipment,  said that satellite guaranteed a strong signal to the viewers.   He said his company targeted the North American market, with top-of-the range satellite equipment.   However, the downside was that subscribers had to own their own property in order to be able to install the equipment without restrictions.  Property renters faced the challenge of obtaining permission from the landlords before installing the equipment. 

The occasion was marked by a raffle draw, in which one, Faith Mburu of Doubles Building Society, West Boylston, MA, won herself a free satellite dish, and a three-month free subscription.  She said she was happy to be the winner, and attributed her luck to God.
    
     Kibai Gikuyu predicting success for Kenyans in the USA               Faith, the ecstatic lucky winner of a satellite system,                                                                                                                   thanks   KTV-Live

The guests were treated to a variety of songs and performances, ranging from gospel music to Kenyan cultural songs.  Gospel singers included Florence Kimotho, Grace Shikoh, Carol Mbithi, T.W., and  JP Muiruri who  entertained guests with his nostalgic country tunes rendered in  Gikuyu language.  Qita Sharon did the only Rhythm and Blues tunes at the launch. 

In matters of chakula (food), the guests had to meet their own expenses for meals and refreshments.  Speaking to some guests, they told our reporters that they could have done with a few drinks on the house (event organizers), and possibly, a few snacks. 
   
TW, now in the happy crowd, rock to the Gospel tunes as well         JP brought the home grown village memories with                                                                                                            Gikuyu lyrics , prompting this couple to rise and dance

Some Kenyan businessmen in the food industry had a display table at the entrance, from which they sold an assortment of branded food items from Kenya. Lead brands included  Zesta Jam,  KETEPA tea bags, Royco Mchuzi mix, and organic millet flour (Njahi).  Donald Chege, the impeccably dressed food sales representative, remarked that eating organic food from Kenya was a reliable approach to losing weight. To hammer his point home, he swung his trim figure around, saying that he had dropped some pounds from eating good food from Kenya.   From reliable sources, obesity is indeed a weighty problem to a significant part of the US population.  From the standpoint of health, Change’s advice is indeed timely.
The occasion ended close to 11.00pm with a question-answer session hosted by the franchise owners. 

ajabuafrica.com was the only electronic IT media present at the launch of the Kenya Live TV.
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