The Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies at Kenya’s Daystar University, Sr. Prof. Agnes Lucy Lando, has been appointed as Co-ordinator and Lead Consultant in assisting the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) to establish a national Catholic TV station.
Rose Achiego – Nairobi
The new Ukweli Television Kenya, whose motto is bringing ‘Christ to the people and people to Christ,’ was recently issued with a commercial free-to-air broadcast licence by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
KCCB delighted to own television
In an interview, Chairman of KCCB – Commission for Social Communications, Bishop Joseph Obanyi, disclosed that the Kenyan Bishops were delighted to own a national TV station of their own, finally.
“On behalf of the Bishops, I am excited that finally, we have something to begin with,” said Bishop Obanyi. “We thank the team in Nairobi for their commitment in helping acquire the broadcast licence.”
TV to start transmissions soon
Bishop Obanyi said Ukweli TV would soon start transmitting programmes and called on Christians across the dioceses to support the new TV and team appointed to run it.
He paid tribute to Sr. Lando for her commitment and acceptance in helping the Bishops relaise their dream.
Ecumenism and proclaiming the Gospel
Meanwhile, speaking at Ukweli TV which is based at the National Youth Centre (Mji-Wa Furaha) along Thika Road, Sr. Lando congratulated KCCB and thanked the Bishops for the appointment. She said she was grateful for the confidence in her despite her other engagements at Daystar University, which is a non-Catholic institution.
“To me, it is an appointment of Daystar University. I see an element of ecumenism where different faiths are working together for the common good of humanity and the proclamation of the great news,” she said.
Ukweli TV more relevant in COVID-19 era
Sr. Lando said the closure of Churches early in the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic influenced the establishment of the new TV station.
“There was the forceful withdrawal of the Shepherd from the Sheep,” said Sr. Lando. “It was the desire of the Bishops to remain in touch with the Christians. They, therefore, requested that the establishment of Ukweli TV be accelerated so that it would be used as a tool for evangelisation and reach out Christians with messages of hope and encouragement.”
Daystar Vice-Chancellor Prof. Laban Ayiro hailed Sr. Lando as a leader who is self-driven, responsible and with the capacity required to run the TV station due to her qualification as a professor in communications and involvement in Church matters.
