The media industry has created thousands of jobs in the country and provided a platform where little known personalities have thrived to become influential public figures. But it takes years of commitment before one can finally flash their smiles behind the cameras.
Photo of Caren Kibett. [Photo|Courtesy]
One member of the fourth estate who quickly shot to the limelight is former K24 news anchor Caren Kibett whose forte was in sports. This article will focus on her family, education and media career.
Age and Family
According to her Facebook profile, Kibett was born on March, 1995. She intimated to this writer that she was born in Kapsowar Hospital located in Elgeyo Marakwet county. This means she is currently 26 years old. In a conversation with wokenya.com, she also disclosed that she is a first born in a family of 3. She has one brother and one sister.
Education
Kibett began her primary school education in Peace Junior Academy located in Nairobi county. Thereafter, she returned back to her home county for her secondary school education in Sing’ore Girls High School, a center of academic excellence. Kibett then joined the University of Nairobi where she pursued an undergraduate degree in broadcast production.
Media Career
The self-declared ‘Marakwet express’ had been passionate about journalism from a tender age. During her time at Sing’ore Girls, she founded the journalism club in the school. The club’s biggest achievement was composing the school anthem.
Kibett’s star wasn’t dimming, and immediately after completing the undergraduate programme, she stamped into a life-changing opportunity when Mediamax’s K24 hired her. She began working on 4th February, 2019
Armed with unparalleled brightness and pure bliss, Kibett’s meteoric rise became difficult to ignore as she brought in high profile sports personalities to be featured on K24. Among the persons she interviewed include United States sprinter Justin Gatlin, South Africa footballer Siphiwe Tshabalala and javelin star Julius Yego.
Kibett had previously affirmed that she draws inspiration from South African sports journalist Carol Tshabalala who is known as the ‘first lady of sports’ due to her experience in the field.
June 22, 2020 – K24 Retrenchment
Kibett’s stay at K24 was however cut short when she was fired alongside fellow colleagues in what was described as one of the biggest massacres to ever hit a newsroom. Various sources indicated that only 2 members survived the chopping after they accepted to take a 50% pay cut.
“The notice period has expired. Unfortunately, your position has been affected by way of redundancy. I would like to invite you to Emory Hotel in Kileleshwa tomorrow, Monday 22nd at 8:55am to discuss what this means to your employment,” read a text message sent by the company.
For over one year, Kibett had been away from the screens and she decided to launch a new sports segment called inside sports that has a Youtube channel and a Facebook page as well.
KBC TV – on 9th August, 2021 Kibett returned back on the newroom, this time being employed by national broadcaster KBC as a sports anchor. She now features for the prime edition every weekday.
