Dr. S.K. Macharia Honoured for Uninterrupted Broadcast of Raila Odinga’s Final Journey

 

 In an extraordinary act of loyalty and respect, media mogul Dr. S.K. Macharia has been widely praised for suspending all advertising on Citizen TV, Inooro TV, and Ramogi TV during the live broadcast of Raila Odinga’s final journey — a move that has deeply touched millions of Kenyans.

For four consecutive days, the Royal Media Services (RMS) network aired uninterrupted, commercial-free coverage of the late opposition leader’s funeral procession, vigils, and national tributes across various parts of the country. Viewers noted that not a single advert aired — a rare gesture in modern broadcasting.

Sources close to RMS management confirmed that Dr. Macharia personally made the call to forgo millions in advertising revenue to honour his long-time friend and political ally, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.

“It wasn’t about business. It was about honour. It was about friendship. It was about legacy,” said a senior executive at RMS who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Dr. Macharia, the Chairman of Royal Media Services, was a close confidant of Odinga for decades, often supporting the veteran politician both in public and private.

Social media platforms were flooded with tributes praising the 81-year-old media tycoon, with many calling his decision "a masterclass in integrity and legacy building."

“Dr. S.K. Macharia turned down millions to make sure Baba’s story was told without interruption. That’s not just loyalty — that’s legacy,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by the trending hashtag #RespectChairman.

Political analysts and media experts say the move is unprecedented in Kenya’s broadcast history.

“In an era driven by profit margins, for a major broadcaster to go four days without a single advert — that’s not only rare, it’s revolutionary,” said Dr. Mercy Okoth, a media lecturer at the University of Nairobi. “It speaks volumes about the personal impact Raila had on Kenya’s power brokers and opinion shapers.”

Viewership numbers for the broadcast have reportedly broken national records, as millions tuned in from across the country and abroad to follow the coverage.

While no official statement has been issued by Dr. Macharia himself, his actions have already spoken louder than words. In a nation mourning one of its greatest political giants, one man’s silent tribute has echoed across generations.

 media, or one highlighting the relationship between Macharia and Raila in more detail.