In June 2022, Mediamax Network Limited fired its entire newsroom including top news anchors and reporters.
While the company described the firings as a cost-cutting measure, different sources indicated that the journalists were fired for opposing a 50 percent pay cut imposed on them.
In this article, WoK looks at journalists whose careers either ended or were dimmed after joining K24 TV.
Betty Kyallo
Betty Kyallo joined K24 TV from KTN News in September 2018.
While announcing his debut at the Mediamax-owned TV station, the journalist shared a photo with her colleagues and captioned, ‘new beginnings’.
The news anchor announced her exit from K24 on May 30, 2020 days after sharing a cryptic message on her social media platforms.
“I really appreciate you all. It is now time for me to say goodbye here on K24 TV. Thank you so much for all the support, I appreciate you, God bless you and I love you,” she said.
Tonny Kwalanda
Sports anchor Tonny Kwalanda is also among journalists who were affected by the K24 TV mass firing.
He had worked at Mediamax for 11 years within which he debuted the Sports Hub show which aired weekdays after the 1 pm news.
Kwalanda joined Switch TV where he hosted a sports show dubbed Sports Center that aired before the 9 pm news and featured sports pundits and guests.
He later left his job at Switch TV to contest for an MCA seat in his home county in the 2022 General Elections.
Eric Njoka
Eric Njoka left K24 TV in June 2020 after a 7-year stint; having joined the media house in 2013 from KTN.
In a statement on his social media platforms, Njoka thanked his fans and the management for the opportunity of serving the station.
“I did my part, I played my role with poise and dignity, and I’m proud of it. My 7-year journey K24 TV has ended, now #Anchorman is ready to take over the world. Focus Onwards, look inwards. Viva,” he wrote.
In March 2021, Njoka joined India’s Zee Media Corporation Limited-owned TV station Wion TV where he serves as a news anchor.
Ahmed Juma Balo
Ahmd Juma Balo is also among journalists who left K24 TV over the 50 percent pay-cut controversy.
In a past interview, the journalist disclosed that he was forced to relocate to Mombasa after efforts to find a new job yielded no fruits.
While in Mombasa, Balo disclosed that he was forced to hawk chicken from one estate to another to make ends meet.
“Many of my clients wondered whether I was the same person they had seen on TV knocking their doors to sell chicken,” he said.
He later joined KBC where he works as a Swahili news anchor.
Anne Kiguta
Anne Kiguta joined K24 TV in April 2019 from Mediamax-owned TV station, Citizen TV.
The journalist hosted a show dubbed, Punchline which was centered on both local and international politics.
She left the media station in December 2022 citing a disagreement on the editorial process the show was being forced to take.
“It is with regret that today I announce that I will not be returning to the program. Owing to a fundamental disagreement on the editorial processes and direction the show was being forced to take, I suspended my services as an independent contractor to the show on 21st November 2020
“My decision was guided by the Code of Conduct contained in the Media Council of Kenya Act which guides all journalists practising in the republic of Kenya. As a result. I can no longer in good conscience continue to be a part of Punchline,” Kiguta wrote.
Job Mwaura
Job Mwaura announced his exit from K24 TV in June 2020, stating that it was time to take a break from the media industry before he makes a comeback.
He joined K24 in 2013 in a mass exodus that saw Citizen TV journalists move to Mediamax ahead of the 2013 General Election.
At K24 TV, Mwaura worked as an Assignment Editor and features reporter who used to host a segment dubbed Sauti Tajika and Mgaagaa na Upwa.
Following his firing, he launched a YouTube channel where he aired a show, ‘Shamba la Mawe’.
Franklin Wambugu
Swahili news anchor Franklin Wambugu was among 160 Mediamax Network Limited employees who received termination letters.
The ex-editor later joined the Kiambu County Government following his appointment as a Chief Officer.
In an interview, he revealed that he had been appointed as the newest chief officer in charge of Communications and Public Relations.
Wambugu boasts over 20-years experience from the media industry.
Nancy Onyancha
Nancy Onyancha worked as a Swahili news anchor at K24 TV until her exit in June 2020.
She later joined Switch TV as a Managing Editor, with sources indicating that she received the offer from the station the same day she was dismissed by K24 TV.
However, she later moved to KBC where she works as a news anchor following Switch TV’s shutdown.
Onyancha also runs a production company, Sauti Tajika, alongside her husband, Job Mwaura.
