Simon Kibe’s Jamba TV’s launch on PANG marks a bold new chapter for the investigative powerhouse, as the former Inooro TV and FM star rolls out his independent station this Friday, November 1, bringing fresh voices to Kikuyu airwaves just days after snagging YouTube’s Silver Play Button for cracking 100,000 subscribers.
Viewers tuning into PANG platforms nationwide will catch the debut, packed with Kibe’s signature shows that dig deep into community truths without the corporate filter.
Kibe, a 42-year-old veteran whose microphone has exposed everything from land grabs in Central Kenya to youth hustles in the city shadows, stepped away from Inooro last year amid whispers of editorial clashes.
“I needed space to tell stories my way,” he shared in a quick phone huddle with reporters Tuesday, his tone equal parts fire and focus.
That pivot paid off fast. His YouTube channel, a scrappy mix of on-the-ground reports and viewer Q&As, hit the subscriber milestone Monday, earning the silver nod from the tech giant. “It’s humbling,” Kibe posted alongside a photo of the plaque, gleaming under his home studio lights in Kiambu.
“But this is just fuel. Jamba TV is where the real grind starts.” The station’s name, Jamba, nods to the resilient spirit of everyday Kenyans, a Kikuyu root word for strength that Kibe says mirrors his journey from radio sidekick to solo trailblazer.
Available via PANG’s free-to-air setup on digital TVs and streaming apps, Jamba promises no paywalls, just pure access for families in villages and urban flats alike.
Friday’s kickoff airs at 7 PM East Africa Time, a two-hour extravaganza blending live music from local guitarists, guest spots by fellow journos, and a teaser reel of upcoming episodes.
Expect Kibe front and centre, mic in hand, rallying viewers to “join the conversation that shapes us.” Core to the lineup are holdovers from his digital days, polished for broadcast shine.
Wathe Ti Kwiremwo, his flagship probe into corruption scandals, returns with a pilot episode unpacking recent fertiliser scams hitting Meru farmers.
Njera-ini Ciitu dives into urban folklore, chatting with elders on modern woes like digital dating disasters in Nairobi. Murika spotlights unsung heroes, from matatu mechanics mentoring orphans to women brewers reviving traditional porridges.
And Wathire, the crowd favourite for its raw advice segments, tackles everything from marital knots to job hunt hacks, with Kibe fielding calls live.
“These aren’t just shows,” he emphasised. “They’re lifelines. Inooro taught me to reach, but Jamba gives me roots.” PANG, the upstart broadcaster challenging giants like Royal Media Services, jumped at the chance to host.
“Simon Kibe brings authenticity we crave,” said CEO Peter Njoroge in a statement.
“His subscriber surge proves hunger for unscripted truth. We’re proud to beam Jamba to every corner.” The partnership fits PANG’s push into ethnic content, blending Kikuyu narratives with broader appeals to keep advertisers buzzing.
Early sponsors include a microfinance firm eyeing Kibe’s trust factor and a telecom eyeing youth tie-ins. Fans are already abuzz. One viral clip from Kibe’s channel shows him carving the station logo from soapstone, a nod to his hobbyist sculptor side.
“From Inooro desks to my own throne,” he joked in the vid. “Who knew quitting could feel this free?” Critics, though, wonder about sustainability. Independent TV in Kenya’s crowded waves means fierce battles for ad rupees, especially with state-owned KBC looming large. Kibe brushes it off.
“Views don’t lie. 100K on YouTube? That’s my ballot. Now, let’s vote with remotes.” This launch lands amid a media renaissance, where creators like Mungai Eve and Lynn Ngugi flip vlogs into empires. Kibe’s twist? Staying true to investigative bones, minus the 9 to 5 chains.
As Friday nears, rehearsals hum in a rented Juja warehouse turned studio, scripts scattered like autumn leaves. The crew, a tight-knit dozen of fresh grads and ex-Inooro alums, buzz with energy.
“Boss man’s vision is electric,” whispered camera guy James Mwangi, wiping lenses. “Wathe Ti Kwiremwo could spark real change again.” Simon Kibe The Jamba TV launch on PANG isn’t a mere rebrand. It’s rebellion wrapped in resolve, a beacon for journalists chafing under old guards.
In a nation where news feeds on fear clicks, Kibe bets on hope hooks. Tune in Friday, and you might just witness the spark that reignites trust in the fourth estate, one episode at a time. For now, in Kiambu’s misty mornings, the man with the silver button dreams bigger, mic ready for the next untold tale.