Fred Obachi Machoka is widely recognised as one of Kenya’s most prominent radio and television personalities, but his career in the media was preceded by several years of service in the police force.
Machoka, popularly referred to as Uncle Fred, joined the Kenya Police Service and served in the General Service Unit (GSU). During the 1970s, he was deployed to Kenya’s Northern Frontier region, where he carried out his duties as a police officer.
His transition from law enforcement to broadcasting happened unexpectedly. While still serving in the police, Machoka entered a radio competition and emerged as the winner. His victory required him to travel to Nairobi to claim his prize, but the visit turned out to be much more significant than he had anticipated.
During his time in Nairobi, his distinctive voice attracted the attention of individuals working in broadcasting. He was encouraged to explore a career in radio, an opportunity that eventually changed the course of his professional life.
Machoka made the decision to leave the police service in 1976 and pursue broadcasting full-time. He joined the Voice of Kenya (VOK), which was later transformed into the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
While working at VOK and KBC, he presented a number of radio and television programmes that helped establish his reputation among Kenyan audiences. Among the programmes associated with him were Music Time and Talk of Time, which contributed to his growing popularity.
Beyond his broadcasting work, Machoka pursued studies in advertising and public relations and received additional training in media and communication. His knowledge, experience and ability to connect with audiences enabled him to maintain a long-standing presence in Kenya’s media industry.
In 2002, Machoka joined Citizen Radio and Citizen TV, where he became particularly recognised for hosting Roga Roga. The programme was strongly associated with African music, particularly classic rhumba, and became one of the most notable shows in his career.
By 2026, Machoka had reached an important milestone of 50 years in broadcasting. His career, which began after an unexpected opportunity while he was still a police officer, has spanned several decades and established him as a veteran broadcaster.
His journey from serving with the GSU in Kenya’s Northern Frontier region to becoming a familiar personality on radio and television remains a notable chapter in the country’s broadcasting history.