A fresh war of words has erupted in Kenya’s media circles after popular Radio Jambo presenter Joe Gidi delivered a scathing response to Fred Arocho’s controversial warning against Radio Africa employees attending the burial of veteran sports commentator Diblo Kaberia (El Mago).
Arocho had earlier stirred emotions by claiming that Diblo suffered greatly during his 17 years at Radio Jambo, allegedly due to poor working conditions. He warned Radio Africa staff not to attend the burial, promising to expose those he held responsible for the veteran’s hardships.
In a strongly worded rebuttal yesterday, Gidi dismissed Arocho’s remarks as inappropriate and accused him of exploiting the tragic death for personal attention. The Radio Jambo presenter reportedly referred to Arocho as a “chronic school dropout” working for an upcoming radio station, questioning his authority to issue such warnings. Gidi argued that using Diblo’s passing to settle scores was disrespectful to the deceased and his family.
The heated exchange has divided netizens, with some supporting Gidi’s defense of his colleague and workplace, while others feel Arocho raised valid concerns about welfare in the media industry. Diblo Kaberia, a legendary football commentator, passed away recently, leaving a huge void in sports broadcasting. His colleagues at Radio Jambo, including Gidi, have publicly mourned him, describing his passion and contribution to the station.a2a84d
This latest media feud highlights underlying tensions within Kenya’s broadcasting sector regarding working conditions, salaries, and colleague loyalty. As preparations for Diblo’s burial in Maua continue, the public debate continues to rage online.
The incident serves as a reminder of how grief can quickly turn into public confrontation in the closely-knit Kenyan media fraternity. Many are now calling for unity and respect during this period of mourning instead of further division.