Former Cabinet Secretary, long-standing and experienced media practitioner, Dr. Farida Karoney, has joined Cape Media Limited (the holding company for TV47, Radio47 & Digital47) as a Consultant for Growth and Strategy.
In her role, Dr. Karoney, working closely with the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Mwenda Njoka, will oversee policy and strategic changes geared towards making Cape Media a digital-first media house, and place it competitively in the market.
Dr. Karoney’s appointment was formally announced by the Cape Media Chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu, during a ceremony at the Chairman’s Runda offices attended by the Cape Media management team led by their CEO.
In her remarks, Dr. Karoney highlighted the need to mould Cape Media into a strong brand as well as the need to diversify revenue streams.
On his part, Chairman, Prof. Gicharu, lauded Dr. Karoney’s appointment as one that will ensure that TV47, Radio47 and TV47 Digital sustain the good growth trajectory the brands have gained within the short time they have been in existence.
Among those who were at hand to welcome Dr. Karoney to the Cape Media family—the fastest growing media company in Kennya— were CEO Mwenda Njoka, Head of TV Macharia Wamugo, Head of Commercial Osman Mumbia, Head of Radio Geoffrey Mung’ou, Editor-in-Chief Gachuru Macharia, Business Development Lead Sam Gakunyi, Head of Digital Wayne Wafula, Head of Operations Wilson Mbugua, Head of Finance Francis Chege, Head of Monitoring & Evaluation Yusuf Wambugu, Head of Programs & Compliance Diana Tarik, Lead Creative Hilary Kirui, Head of Traffic Mumbi Wanyoike, Head of Human Resource and Administration Lillian Makandi, Head of Marketing Mary Wambui, Radio Programs Controller Lynda Oriaso and Commercial Manager Stephen Omondi.
Who is Farida Karoney?
Dr. Farida Karoney (PhD), EGH, is a visionary change leader and one of Kenya’s most accomplished transformation champions, celebrated for her exceptional ability to deliver systemic change across public and private sectors in Kenya and beyond.
Drawing on decades of experience in governance, institutional reform, and media evolution, she has consistently operated at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and impact at scale.
Awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH), Kenya’s highest civilian honours, the former Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning (2018–2022) led one of the most significant land reform processes in Kenya, successfully overseeing the digitization of land records and services for the first time in the nation’s history.
Her tenure at the Lands ministry was a masterclass in bold leadership, leveraging technology to combat corruption, enhance service delivery, and establish a transparent, citizen-centric land governance system.
Guided by a deep belief in the power of constructive disruption and digital advancement, Dr Karoney has also been instrumental in redefining Kenya’s media landscape.
When she served as Chief Operating Officer and Editorial Director, at Royal Media Services, she championed progressive advancements and pioneering initiatives that elevated the media house as the country’s leading broadcasting network.
Her earlier roles at KTN, Nation Media Group, and Al Jazeera underscore her enduring commitment to independent journalism and future-proof media models.
Often described by her mentees, students, and colleagues as a leader who “will always find a way, and if she does not, she will make a decision regardless,” she is widely respected for her decisive leadership, composure under pressure, and unwavering pursuit of excellence and fairness.
Her mantra, “Excellence is a way of life, not an event,” is more than a personal credo, it is a guiding principle that shapes every institution, process, and team she influences.
Dr Karoney holds a PhD in Business Administration (Strategy) and MBA in Strategic Management, both from the University of Nairobi. She also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the same institution.
Her academic foundation was laid at Kenyatta University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, specializing in Botany and Zoology.
This interdisciplinary training has shaped her systems-thinking approach, which integrates analytical rigor, strategic foresight, and people-centered leadership.
