Even with the recent fashion gaffe, Frida Mwaka remains one of the most stylish news anchors in Kenya. Her outfits imbue class, elegance and whatever other adjectives you may think of. Mwaka’s career growth has been an enviable one and an inspiration to those intending to follow in her footpath. Here is her story as shared by Aska Nyambeki.
Career
The news anchor journey to the top was as a result of hard work and consistency that is deficient in most of us. She was introduced to Lofty Matambo-then working at the Kenya Television Network (KTN(- by a friend she was living with in Mombasa. Frida took advantage of her new found celebrity friend by bombarding him with videos she had done. The gracious Lofty Matambo would take her through the changes she needed to make.
Fidel Odinga Connection
It was ODM leader Raila Odinga’s late son, Fidel Odinga, who propelled her career to the big leagues. According to Frida, her co-anchor told her that Fidel had died and urged her to do an item on it and share it the next day. She went to work and that piece landed her a slot on Season 2 of KTNs the Presenter show. Before joining KTN, the Swahili news anchor worked for the now defunct Kumbamba radio.
Quits KTN to Join NTV
After three years working for KTN, Frida called it a day on March 21. She said of her departure from the station that nurtured her:
“Safari Ni Hatua.
Imekuwa Fahari Yangu Kutembea Nanyi Katika Safari Ya Matukio Ya Raha Karaha Ila Zaidi Ni Alama Ambazo Zimeganda Moyoni Mwangu Kwa Kunishabikia Na Kunifanya Bora Katika Tasnia Ya Uanahabari @ktnnews
Muda Umewadia Wa Kuondoka Katika Kituo Cha @ktnnews. Niruhusini Niseme Kwaheri Kwa Sasa. Dunia Ni Duara Mola Atujalie Tukutane Tena Hivi Karibuni…”
Frida joined NTV together with her mentor Lofty and the two are paired together.
The pair have done a song together on Covid-19.
Marriage
The news anchor is married to Samuel Nguma Ndhuli, an architect by profession. The wedding ceremony took place on November 30, 2019 at Mnarani Club, Kilifi County. This is after a traditional engagement ceremony held in Kibwezi, Makueni County on August 10.
Speaking on Radio Maisha, the news anchor said she had and will not use her husband name because she had become a brand.
“Mambo yangu ya ndoa naya weka chini ya maji. Fridah Mwaka is a brand on its own. We agreed that matters to do with my career, ni Maisha yangu. Aliniambia at the end of it all I am your husband whether you say my name or not it doesn’t add anything….,
People around her tried to persuade her otherwise but she remained adamant:
“Kuna watu ambao wamebaki wakisema mwanaume anafeel ile pride jina lake likitajwa. Kama pride yako wewe mwanaume ni kuskia jina lako linatajwa basi mi sijui.”
She rubbished reports appearing on a section of blogs that seemed to suggest she had dated Samuel for 17 years:
“I first met my husband in 2001 tulikuwa watoto wadogo. Yeye alikua pageboy na mimi nilikua flower girl katika harusi alafu wazazi wangu ndio walikua wasimamizi wa ile harusi. That is almost 17 years ago, sasa siku ya harusi bloggers wakaandika we have dated for 17 years. How can I date a guy for 17 years yet we met when we were babies?”
The couple schooled together in the same primary school in Kilifi and were even neighbors. For a period of 13 years, the two would only occasionally meet and say the usual hi and that was all.
Fashion
Her fashion sense is one of the best until recently when she appeared on Live TV looking not so professional. This got the interwebs busy with funny memes and comments on a fashion dominating banter on social media.
