Caroline Mutoko Recalls How a One-Paragraph Application Changed Her Career at Radio Africa

Radio Africa Group held a farewell ceremony on Thursday, June 25, to honour outgoing chairman Kiprono Kittony, marking the end of his 27-year chapter with the media company.

During the emotional event, media personality Caroline Mutoko shared a personal story about how she first joined Radio Africa and the role Kittony played in shaping her career.

The Bold Application That Stood Out

In 2000, a 26-year-old Mutoko came across a job advertisement for a position at Radio Africa in the Daily Nation.

While many applicants submitted detailed CVs outlining their qualifications and experience, Mutoko decided to take a completely different approach.

Instead of sending a traditional application, she submitted a short paragraph filled with confidence.

“Sensible people sent CVs, listed qualifications, and pleaded their case. I sent a single paragraph that essentially said: ‘You will not find anyone as good as me. So, hire me’,” she recalled.

Her bold move caught Kittony’s attention, and he invited her for an interview.

Mutoko described him as warm and curious but also cautious. He had heard about her strong loyalty to her former employer, Capital FM, and questioned whether she was truly ready to leave.

“I’m not entirely convinced you’re actually leaving,” Kittony told her.

Mutoko assured him she was committed to the move, and he decided to trust her.

“The Caroline Mutoko you know today exists because one man read a one-paragraph application and decided to take a chance,” she said.

A Difficult Transition

Mutoko’s move to Radio Africa was not without challenges.

She recalled that on her final day at Capital FM, Kittony personally picked her up in a maroon Ford Magnum and drove her to the new studios at Lion Place.

The building was still being prepared, with wet paint, unfinished sections and exposed wires.

Shortly after her move, a legal dispute emerged, with Capital FM seeking to prevent her from going on air at Kiss FM.

According to Mutoko, the situation became intense, with claims that her move could negatively affect her former employer.

However, Kittony remained calm throughout the situation and reassured her.

His message was simple: “You do your job. We’ll handle this.”

Mutoko went on to spend 23 years at Radio Africa, where she became one of the country’s most recognised media personalities.

She credited Kittony for creating opportunities and trusting the people he brought on board to deliver.

“He built the stage and trusted the actors to perform,” she said.