Kenya Radio - Sahara Fm 94.2

Kenyan born Kenneth Osore had been raised with the knowledge of God,readily embracing the life-giving principles as a youth. After pursuingan American educational scholarship, he soon found a satisfying life inTexas. But on regular trips to his Kenyan village birthplace, Kennethbecame increasingly disturbed by the changing conditions he saw on eachvisit.

AIDS, economic collapse and ensuing poverty seemed to grow withintensity with each subsequent visit until 2004 when Kenneth began towait on the Lord with his desire to make a positive difference in theKisumu area. The needs were so immense and intense, it became clear tohim that media must be part of any solution for Kenya, and with thatrealization, Kenneth applied for and received the first Christian FMradio license in and for Kisumu, a city of over 1 million people,located at the edge of beautiful Lake Victoria.

With little else but a license and the dream of radio ministry forhis beloved Kisumu, Kenneth continued to wait on the Lord. Soon he madecontact with High Adventure’s Don McLaughin who had also felt called tobuild a radio station in Kisumu in 2002. At that time, his originalKenyan partner was not able to continue in a partnership arrangement,and the vision seemed to die, until McLaughlin and Osore made contact.

After a season of prayer and gathering resources, Osore andMcLaughlin’s team grew with the addition of a new partner, Blessingsfor Obedience USA. In 2004 a tower and some broadcast equipment wasdonated and sent to Kenya with the help of other Christian groups. Thefirst test signal was sent out across Kisumu in the spring of 2005.

Although licensed for a larger broadcast power, this infant radiostation Sahara FM 94.2 began its humble broadcasts utilizing a smalltransmitter and limited antenna capability. Almost immediately,listeners began to contact the station with their excitement atdiscovering this new Christian voice for Kisumu.

Sahara FM continues to meet a strong felt need for Biblical teachingand encouragement as a steady flow of requests for Bibles and studiesarrive at the fledgling station. In one week alone, requests for 500Bibles arrived with many more anticipated, as the great hunger for theWord of God continues to build across the area.

Today, Sahara FM has the potential to each 10 million Kenyans, butfinancial restraints continue to delay progress of this indigenousbroadcast facility. With only $5,000.00, a new 300-foot tower could beerected on a strategic location overlooking historic Lake Victoria,immediately expanding the listening audience in dramatic fashion. Andanother $6,000.00 transmitter upgrade could increase that expandedaudience by another 300%. This is a historic and strategic ministryopportunity positioned by the Lord, on Africa’s largest body of water,beautiful Lake Victoria.

Are you interested in reaching the people of Kisumu with yourprogram? Or do you feel led to help expand Sahara FM’s ministrypotential with your tax-deductible gift? Contact Don McLaughlin at1-800-550-4670 or by email at don@biblevoice.org.