West media fans have been urged to form a Sacco in order to create strong development networks, according to West Media head of radio Nandemu Barasa. While addressing the leaders of 110 different West Media fan groups that cut across Bungoma County, Nandemu said many groups have succeeded due to the formation of a Sacco, and that money can collected from different groups and a big West Media Sacco can be created. He said projects can be done afterwards and even ventures into real estate development.
He challenged the leadership of West Media Salaams clubs to take up the challenge, adding that West Media management will support the venture. He lauded the fans for the support they are giving West Media and its stations including West TV, West FM, Mumbo FM and the online platform and that the company’s management will work closely with the fan groups to find ways of helping them. He said already plans are underway to make sure the fans register for NHIF to improve medication access, “Sometimes we fall sick at a time when we can’t manage to raise money for treatment and drugs but if we get the National Hospital Insurance Fund card then you are sure of getting treatment from the hospital closer to you that has NHIF services,” he said.
He also urged media houses not to collude and compromise with the national and County governments but play their role as watchdogs, given that the nation doesn’t have an opposition that will adequately put the government to task. The head of West Media groups John Kabaka famously known as ‘mfalme’ appreciated the work the fans have been doing and their contributions to the shows, saying the West Media management doesn’t take that for granted. He also asked political leaders and the County governments to support the salaams clubs, an idea shared by another West Media presenter Joan Wesakulila famously known as ‘Omukhana Mucharia’ who urged leaders to desist the trend of reaching out to people during the election period and afterwards, toss them aside.
The chairman of all in one Bungoma umbrella West Media fans Edward Simiyu famously known as ‘Eddu governor wa destiny’ appealed to the leadership at the grassroots level to work closely with the County leadership to avoid division within fans and always consult whenever they want to create another group so that they can be taken through the induction process and be made aware of the rules.
The function was also graced by the leadership of KNUT from Bungoma East branch led by their executive secretary Aggrey Murumba Namisi who urged West Media to create a visiting schools program with journalism clubs and encouraging the upcoming journalists and fans saying that will be a good move aimed at improving education in different schools. The West Media presenters who attended included Joan Wesakulila, John Kabaka, who is the patron of West Media fan groups, Samuel Munai, Nebert Wafula, and Phanice Kemei.
