A global literacy initiative driving innovative approaches to children’s reading has officially launched in Kenya in partnership with a leading children’s television platform.
The initiative introduces Read Along Hour Kenya, a new weekday television block designed to build children’s literacy skills and bring back the joy of stories.
Airing every weekday from 5 – 6 PM from February 23 2026, Read Along Hour Kenya transforms familiar screen time into an engaging, shared reading experience for children and their parents.
By embedding Literacy Grade Subtitles into popular children’s programming, the initiative supports reading development while meeting families where they already are, at home and around the TV.
Celebrities Strengthen Read Along Hour Kenya
The Kenya launch of Read Along Hour Kenya is further strengthened through a partnership with renowned Kenyan celebrity couple and cultural icons, Nameless and Wahu, who invested in their children’s education and development. Their participation reinforces the importance of making literacy accessible, relevant, and engaging for both children and caregivers.
Nameless and Wahu say the initiative strongly aligns with their values and experience. Wahu says, “Reading is the foundation of how children learn, express themselves and understand the world. As parents, we’re constantly looking for ways to make learning feel natural and enjoyable at home. Read Along Hour does exactly that, turning everyday TV time into an opportunity for growth. When children see reading reflected in the content they love, and parents feel empowered to be part of that journey, the impact is lasting.”
Nameless adds, “As an artist and video editor, I have always been fascinated by subtitles. I have realised that many fans never fully caught our earlier lyrics simply because subtitles weren’t added to music videos years ago. The reality is that reading through subtitles naturally builds literacy. That’s why partnering with Switch On matters to us as it speaks directly to Kenyan families and to our fans.”
Delivered in partnership with a prominent children’s broadcaster, Read Along Hour Kenya, featuring cartoons embedded with Literacy Grade Subtitles, will broadcast well-loved titles such as Supa Strikas and Wild Kratts, a fun science adventure. Studies show that subtitles in children’s television significantly improve reading fluency, vocabulary, spelling and comprehension, especially when used regularly.
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Each episode is supported by an L-Bar, displayed at the beginning and end of the show, that highlights the total number of words read, three tricky spellings, and three advanced words. This feature is designed to spark short, meaningful conversations between children and caregivers, encouraging pronunciation practice while unpacking meanings together.
Henry Warren, Switch On Founder, says, “Stories are powerful teachers. If you’re a parent who cares about your child’s literacy, this is one of the simplest things you can do, and it’s completely free. Just tune in at 5 PM.”
A spokesperson from the broadcasting partner said, “If children are already watching TV, that time should give something back.”
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By working closely with local cultural icons, broadcasters and educators, Switch On positions itself as a key driver of innovation in education. As digital screens increasingly dominate how children engage with stories, Read Along Hour Kenya responds to a growing literacy challenge.
According to a recent report study by Usawa Agenda, 50 percent of Grade 6 students in Kenya are unable to read a Grade 3-level English story, highlighting the urgent need for family-friendly reading interventions.
Andrew Kay of World Literacy Foundation concludes, “Children are already watching TV after school. By integrating literacy infrastructure into screen time, Switch On is helping families support reading in ways that fit naturally into their daily routines.”
By our reporter
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