The Birth of Kong Koc FM
Ten years ago, Tonj town heard only conflicting rumours and sudden gunshots. Elders and peace activists dreamed of a single trusted voice to cool tempers.
Inspired during a peace dialogue, Marko Madut Garang created Kong Koc 100.4 FM in 2012, supported by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund and land donated by Paramount Chief Ayii Agiu.
Rumours that Killed, Facts that Heal
Before the station, false reports of cattle raids spread faster than any messenger, triggering retaliatory attacks across Awul, Rualbet and Kirik.
Daily broadcasts now debunk gossip in real time. Listeners such as tea seller Nyibol Chol recall how balanced bulletins replaced fear with verified updates and practical advice.
Youth Engagement on Air
Interactive call-ins, peace songs and sports announcements have turned the airwaves into a meeting ground for rival youth.
Leader Akoch Dhieu says football tournaments arranged through the station “show we share dreams, not enemies,” reducing the urge to organise revenge raids.
Local Leaders Echo Support
Tonj North Peace Coordinator Thomas Mathem notes that one broadcast now reaches villages that once required days of walking, allowing mediators to stay ahead of conflict.
Town Clerk Samuel Aru observes improved school attendance and revived markets, arguing that relocating the transmitter would “reopen old wounds.”
The Road to Wider Coverage
Current transmission does not yet touch Tonj East, central Tonj South or Lakes State. Administrators advocate for extra towers to ensure no community feels excluded.
As dusk settles, the steady voice of a Kong Koc presenter drifts over homesteads, symbolising a future in which dialogue, not gunfire, travels the fastest.