Paul Kimani Kaberia, known universally throughout Kenya and beyond as Diblo Kaberia or simply “El Mago” (Spanish for “The Magician”), was one of the most beloved and electrifying voices in the history of Kenyan sports broadcasting.
For nearly two decades, his powerful and passionately delivered Swahili football commentary on Radio Jambo under the Radio Africa Group brought matches to life for millions of Kenyan listeners who depended on radio to follow the beautiful game.
His death on May 24, 2026, following a period of illness, sent shockwaves through Kenya’s football and media communities and prompted an extraordinary outpouring of tributes from fans, colleagues, and football officials across East Africa, a measure of the profound connection he had built with his audience over more than twenty years of service to Kenyan sports broadcasting.
Profile
| Full Name | Paul Kimani Kaberia (also known as Paul Diblo Kaberia Elmago) |
| Stage Name | Diblo Kaberia / El Mago |
| Born | May 5, 1972 |
| Died | May 24, 2026 (aged 54) |
| Birthplace | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Occupation | Sports Journalist, Football Commentator, Radio Presenter |
| Employer | Radio Jambo (Radio Africa Group) – nearly two decades |
| Religion | Christianity (born-again Christian) |
| Children | One son, one daughter |
Early Life
Paul Kimani Kaberia was born on May 5, 1972, in Nairobi, Kenya. He grew up in the capital city with a consuming passion for football that shaped every dimension of his personal and professional life. From a very young age, the sport captivated him not merely as a spectator but as an active participant and storyteller. Remarkably, he began practising football commentary as early as Standard Six in primary school, an early indication of the natural gift for broadcasting that would eventually take him to the top of his profession.
His passion for football extended beyond the microphone: he played for local football teams including Kieiya Hardrock FC, Mafuko Bombas FC, and Congo United FC, developing a practical understanding of the game’s physical and tactical demands that would later enrich his commentary. He was a deeply spiritual man and a committed born-again Christian whose faith was a cornerstone of his personal identity throughout his life.
Education
Diblo Kaberia’s educational background has not been extensively documented in public records. What is known is that his practical education in football, through years of playing, coaching, and refereeing, provided him with the technical knowledge that gave his commentary its distinctive depth and credibility. He spent close to ten years working as a high school football coach, and also served as a qualified match referee, both of which required formal training and certification. These experiences gave him a multidimensional understanding of the game that pure broadcasting training alone could not have provided.
Career
Diblo Kaberia’s professional media career unfolded at Radio Jambo, a flagship sports station under the Radio Africa Group, one of Kenya’s leading media conglomerates. He joined the station in or around 2008–2009, when he was discovered by veteran sports journalist Carol Radull during an audition that lasted just two minutes. Radull would later recall: “It took a two-minute audition to see that he would be one of the greatest football commentators in Kenya and beyond”, a tribute that captured the immediate and undeniable impression he made on everyone who heard him broadcast.
For nearly two decades, Diblo became the defining voice of Kenyan football broadcasting. His Swahili commentary was an art form in itself: powered by a rich, resonant voice capable of conveying the full emotional spectrum of the sport, from the tension of a nil-nil draw to the eruption of a last-minute winner. He was renowned for his signature phrases, especially his iconic exclamation “Taaaarifa!” (Swahili for “News!” or “Report!”) which became one of the most recognisable expressions in Kenyan sports radio. His storytelling ability, his deep knowledge of both the English Premier League and the Kenya Premier League, and his infectious energy created a broadcasting style that made listeners feel as though they were watching the game live rather than simply hearing it described.
He was part of a celebrated team of Radio Jambo football commentators that included Toldo Kuria, Peter Kirumba, George Waka, Washington Gathuki Mondo, Yusuf Kaona, Fred Arocho, and Diamond Okusimba, a squad of broadcasters whose collective talent defined the golden era of Kenyan football radio. He covered both domestic football (the Kenyan Premier League and lower divisions) and international competitions, bringing matches from the English Premier League, African club competitions, and World Cup qualifiers to Kenyan audiences with unmatched passion and expertise.
Beyond his radio work, Diblo was actively involved in SJAK FC, the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya’s football team, where colleagues remembered him as a dependable teammate whose camaraderie and competitive spirit extended beyond the newsroom and onto the pitch. His dual identity as both a broadcaster and an active participant in the football community gave him a unique standing in Kenya’s sporting culture.
Death
Diblo Kaberia died on May 24, 2026, in the early hours of Sunday morning while receiving treatment at Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital in Nairobi following a short but debilitating illness. His death was confirmed by longtime colleague and fellow commentator Fred Arocho, who posted on social media: “My brother and former workmate Diblo Kaberia Elmago is dead. A sad day indeed.” The announcement immediately triggered a national wave of grief across Kenya’s football and media communities.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed paid tribute, stating that Diblo was “a respected and passionate professional” whose “contributions to sports journalism will be remembered and missed.” The federation’s official statement noted that his “voice became synonymous with Kenyan football, bringing matches to life for countless fans across the country through his passion, energy, and deep love for the game.” The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) also issued a formal statement mourning the loss of one of the most impactful broadcasters in the association’s history.
Social Media
Diblo Kaberia maintained a presence on social media platforms where he engaged with fans and occasionally shared his faith perspectives alongside football commentary. In a fitting reflection of the digital era, tributes to his life and career spread rapidly across Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in the hours following his death, with fans from across Kenya and the East African diaspora sharing memories of his most memorable broadcasts and his most iconic catchphrases.
Personal Life
Diblo Kaberia was a family man. At the time of his death, he was survived by a son and a daughter. His wife’s name has not been confirmed in publicly available records. He was a committed Christian, and his faith was a visible part of his public identity. He was widely described by colleagues as warm, humble, and deeply devoted to both his family and his calling as a broadcaster. Maina Kageni, one of Kenya’s most renowned radio personalities, described him as “a talented, passionate, and exciting presenter and commentator.”
Net Worth
Diblo Kaberia’s net worth was not publicly documented. Earlier estimates by some online sources placed it at approximately KSh 1 million, though such figures are difficult to verify. His primary income came from his salary and broadcasting fees at Radio Jambo, supplemented by his work as a football coach, referee, and media personality over nearly two decades. His true legacy, however, was never measured in financial terms but in the millions of Kenyan listeners whose love of football was deepened and enriched by his extraordinary voice.
Conclusion
Diblo Kaberia’s life was defined by an extraordinary love of football and an equally extraordinary gift for sharing that love with others through the power of the spoken word.
From his earliest commentaries as a primary school student to nearly two decades as Radio Jambo’s most beloved voice, he never lost the youthful enthusiasm and the magnetic energy that made millions of Kenyans reach for their radios on match day.
His passing at 54 robbed Kenya’s football broadcasting landscape of one of its most unique and irreplaceable voices. “El Mago”, The Magician, truly lived up to his name, conjuring the magic of the beautiful game for a generation of Kenyan football lovers who will carry his voice in their memories for the rest of their lives. Rest in peace, Diblo Kaberia Elmago.