Kenyan program manager appointed: promise of more local content

Nairobi - Wangeci Murage, a producer and director, is the new M-Net program manager in East Africa. She will be based in Nairobi.

Wangeci is a seasoned professional and her wide experience in all aspects of production, will see her taking on the responsibility of overseeing local programming across all channels as the company begins to further regionalize its programming content and initiatives.

Her portfolio includes M-Net, M-Net Movies 1 and2, AfricaMagic, Channel O, Series, Action X, K-All Day and Go. In addition, she is tasked with dealing with any other business related to M-Net, including receiving proposals or responding to any queries from TV professionals or other stakeholders in East Africa.

M-Net recently announced it was planning a significant investment in the East African film and TV industry and is already calling for script submissions for its first ever Kenyan-produced East African drama. Local East African stories will take pride of place on DStv screens across Africa.

Joseph Hundah, the company's director of operations for sub-Saharan Africa, said the company's support for local content would see DStv further strengthening and diversifying its programming, with the addition of more East African entertainment.

Says Wangeci: “Over the years we have seen stories about poverty, desperation, corruption and poor governance. I'd like to see a drama series that can explore other issues such as empowerment, good governance, love, ambitions, dreams and hopes for the future. We need a story that is real because it will affect real people with real emotions. It's time that we begin to appreciate what we have and if we don't tell it, who will?”