Kenya media personalities are considered A-list celebrities, especially those who work in the leading media houses. Zubeida Koome is a Kenya Television Network (KTN) news anchor whose beauty, charm and enchanting voice has kept thousands of viewers glued to KTN screens for over a decade.
The bubbly presenter joined the Standard Media Group owned station in 2007 as an intern. Little did she know that she would remain there years later. Others have come and gone, some due to redundancy, others in search of greener pastures but Zubeida has remained at the Standard Media Group owned TV station for over 15 years.
She reads news in Swahili and has gained immense experience over the years and is a role model to many who wish to become journalists. Over the years, she has risen through the ranks and is now a senior anchor with the station. She still remains relevant and keeps most of her private affairs out of the limelight.
Here is her story as told by WoK.
Background
Zubeida Kananu Koome was born and brought up in Meru. Her first time traveling to Nairobi was in 2002. Upon arriving in Nairobi, a friend picked her up at the bus station near the Tea room.
“Before leaving Meru, I was scared by stories I had heard about crime, rape and all things peer pressure. I was terrified of this town! I held onto my friend’s hand all the way. I spent my first days in Nairobi in a hostel in Ngara. I was the typical village girl who stayed in the hostel for fear of being raped,” she told the media.
Marriage
The sassy news anchor has been married to Kevin Koome since 2009. The two are blessed with two children, a girl aged 10 years and a young boy born on the 14th of February.
Education
The KTN journalist started her higher education studies at Kenya School of Professional Studies (KSPS) in Parklands before proceeding to Shang’ Tao Media Arts College. She then proceeded to African Nazarene University where she majored in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies.
Career
Journalism has always been in her blood even while still in primary school. She joined the journalism club while still in primary school. This helped in mentoring as well as building her confidence. In high school, she was the chairman of the journalism club and she collected all kinds of stories from magazines and presented them during assembly.
In January 2007, she joined the Standard Media Group as an intern for KTN. When her three-month stint as an intern ended, the media house awarded her a one-year contract. In 2009, she confirmed her position with the media house.
Through dedication and hard work, she rose through the ranks in KTN and was promoted from one level to the next. In 2012, she became KTN Leo producer and anchor for Swahili news.
Controversy
A photo of the journalist in a rather compromising position with South Sudan President Salva Kiir caused quite a stir on social media platforms. Social media users wondered why the news anchor would squeeze herself in a seat with the President.
Interestingly it was Koome who had shared the photo on her Facebook page. It is not clear if the duo had/have a thing or it was just excitement on the part of the journalist.
