14/01/2026
Massawe Japanni, born in Mombasa County on July 28, 1982, from the Akamba community, is a renowned Swahili radio host and media personality with over 20 years of experience. An alumnus of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC), she is widely regarded as the "Queen of Swahili Radio" for her eloquent command of the language and her bold interviewing style.
She started her career in 2002 as an intern producer at Baraka FM before transitioning into a presenter role. Since then, Massawe has worked at top Kenyan stations including QFM, where she hosted alongside Awinja, and Milele FM. She currently hosts the mid-morning show Bustani la Massawe Japanni on Radio Jambo.
An award-winning presenter, Massawe has earned multiple accolades for her contribution to the media industry and her influence as a female leader. Beyond radio, she is a prominent social media influencer and an advocate for maternal health, often sharing her own journey of overcoming the loss of her first-born son to encourage other women. She is married to Tom Japanni, a veteran media executive and the former Managing Director of Standard Media Group; together, they have three daughters: Imani, Sora, and Tilli.
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