Journalists leave newsrooms for political jobs

As the national and county governments begin their five-year terms, a number of journalists have left the newsroom to plunge into the deep waters of politics

Among them is former Citizen TV anchor Hussein Mohamed, who even though had left the studios in 2019, returned to the limelight last year to join William Ruto’s campaign trail.

After Dr. Ruto was elected president in the August General Election, Mohamed was last month appointed the State House Spokesperson.

Long-serving Swahili journalist Salim Swaleh, who has served in many TV stations – the latest being NTV – recently bid the cameras goodbye after being appointed Nakuru County's ICT, e-Government and Public Communication Chief Officer.

Nicky Gitonga, who worked as the Kwale County correspondent for Citizen TV, left the screens after the August polls for a stint at the Kwale County Government as the Director of Communications.

At the same time, former Ramogi FM journalist Charles Odhiambo joined Homa Bay County as the Chief of Staff in Governor Glady's Wanga's office.

In the Tharaka Nithi County Government, Governor Muthomi Njuki appointed former NTV political reporter Kennedy Murithi as his political advisor.

The previous county and national governments also featured a number of journalists, top on the list being former Citizen TV news anchor Kanze Dena, who was the State House spokesperson under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.

Former NTV journalist, Richard Chacha, was also Mombasa County's Director of Communications under former Governor Hassan Joho, while ex-KTN reporter Carol Nderi was in the Nyeri County Government.

Meanwhile, former Citizen TV and Ebru TV journalist Victor Wetende was Vihiga County’s Director of Communications.