Over the last couple of years, Kenya has witnessed a change in career paths for some of the top journalists in the country. This includes switches from the media to the public service.
In this article, WoK takes a look at some of the top journalists who left the media for public service in recent years.
Hussein Mohamed
The veteran journalist left Citizen TV a few years ago and proceeded to serve as a private consultant before bagging a job at the head of communication in President William Ruto’s campaign team.
Following the win on August 9, 2022, and subsequent upholding of President Ruto’s win by the Supreme Court, Hussein was appointed at the State House Spokesperson, taking over from Kanze Dena.
Michael Gitonga
The veteran media personality-cum-preacher is the Communication Director at the office of First Lady Rachel Ruto. The former KTN News anchor and morning show host is said to have worked with the first lady for a while now.
Gitonga first worked for Family Media, that owns Family TV and FamilyRadio316. On radio, he was popularly known as Mike on the mic. After leaving the media house, he joined Mombasa Road-based Standard Media Group where he was a news anchor and also hosted the Morning Express show.
Salim Swaleh
The NTV Swahili managing editor and anchor was appointed ICT, e-Government and Public Communication chief officer at the Nakuru County government.
Swaleh was among 21 people whose names were forwarded to the county assembly for vetting.
The news anchor, who initially worked for Citizen TV before joining NTV in 2018, was born and bred in Nakuru’s Bondeni informal settlement.
Kanze Dena
Kanze was a darling to many during her TV years with successful spells at KBC and Citizen TV.
She was appointed State House Spokesperson by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.
Nicky Gitonga
Gitonga was appointed as the Director of Communications and spokesperson for the Kwale County Government. The position fell vacant after the end of former Governor Salim Mvurya’s reign.
Following his appointment, he exuded confidence that his new role accorded him the opportunity to serve members of the public.
“Yes, it’s true. The work of a director of communications is on a contractual basis for a five-year term. So, with a new county government comes new leadership. I saw the position and applied, through God’s grace I made it through,” he stated.
The journalist will be responsible for managing and directing the county’s internal and external communications, supervising public relations staff, creating communication strategies, and will also serve as the key spokesperson and media contact for the devolved unit.
Richard Chacha
The former senior NTV reporter was appointed as the county Director of Communications and public relations in 2015 by first Mombasa Governor, Ali Hassan Joho.
While making the appointment, Joho lauded Chacha as articulate and well-spoken professional who had exuded a lot of competence in his service.
Muriuki Mugo
The former Kameme FM reporter bagged a plum job in Kirinyaga County following the election of Governor Anne Waiguru in 2017.
His communication skills, Waiguru noted, would come in handy in the service of the people of Kirinyaga.
Carol Nderi
The former KTN reporter was appointed as the county Head of Communications, leaving behind a distinguished journalism career.
Prior to her appointment, she had served at the Mombasa Road based media house from December 2006 to January 2018.
While taking up her new job, Nderi noted that it offered her the opportunity to serve the people.
Franklin Wambugu
The former K24 journalist was appointed as the chief officer in charge of Communications and Public Relations for Kiambu County.
