This year alone, dozens of both seasoned and upcoming journalists left broadcasters, some in pursuit of better pastures or simply to take a break.
Some of the departures were influenced by retrenchments owing to media convergence or dwindling revenues emerging from the deteriorating economy that spelt doom across almost all industries.
Here are some of the most ground-shaking media departures we witnessed in 2019.
1. Hussein Mohamed
Arguably the most shocking departure the media had witnessed in 2019, renowned news anchor Hussein Mohamed ended his 10-year stint at Citizen TV in a rather emotional bulletin.
The celebrated journalist announced his exit on Twitter on Friday, October 4, indicating that he intended to concentrate on “other matters”.
“It has been a wonderful 10 years at Citizen TV. I have enjoyed and relished every moment I shared with my colleagues at RMS.
“I have decided to take a break after October In Sha Allah to concentrate on other matters. Loved the fans, the critics and everything in between. See you soon,” he posted on his Twitter page.
In the final send-off, reporters and workers from the station as well as politicians who appreciated his work sent him a farewell message in a touching video on live TV after he had finished presenting his final bulletin.
It is still not clear if he is headed elsewhere yet.
2. Jacque Maribe
The former Citizen TV screen siren has had a rough two years that saw her resign from her job at the station.
In October 2018, Royal Media Services (RMS), Maribe’s employer, had come to her defence after she was charged with the murder of Monica Kimani.
RMS Group Managing Director Wachira Waruru stated that Maribe was still their employee and supported her release on bail.
However, in July 2019, multiple sources intimated to kenyagist.com that the anchor had been given an ultimatum to either resign or face the sack. She chose the latter.
She was charged together with her then-fiancé Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie. She is out on a Ksh1 million cash bail while her co-accused is still locked up.
3. Serah Teshna
Another screen siren who was destined for stardom, Serah Teshna, left K24 TV in May after working there for one and a half years, to pursue her career in acting.
Teshna, who was the K24 Alfajiri show host, thanked her directors, producers and the Mediamax fraternity for entrusting her with the show in November 13, 2017.
“When I started I was very fresh, very green but you guys just trusted in me and held my hand,” Teshna stated.
In early December, the former anchor resurfaced on TV screens as an actor on an NTV series, Pieces of us.
She assumed a lead role in the drama which airs on Thursdays at 7:30 pm.
4. Mwanaisha Chidzuga
Former news anchor Mwanaisha Chidzuga was among 160 workers at Mediamax who were shown the door on October 30, 2019.
kenyagist.com confirmed that the media house laid off editors and senior news reporters in the exercise.
Chidzuga joined K24 TV in November 2015, after reportedly being fired by KTN while preparing to present a show.
In an exclusive interview with kenyagist.com, Chidzuga disclosed that her contract was scheduled to end in November 2019, and that she was, in fact, a caterer by profession and her engagement with the broadcaster was on a part-time basis.
“For me, K24 TV was part-time. I am a full-time caterer and I own three restaurants. K24 TV was a hobby and I used to work like 12 hours the whole month,” Chidzuga revealed.
5. Ahmed Bhalo
Ahmed Bhalo, a K24 TV anchor who co-hosted Swahili bulletin with Mwanaisha Chidzuga, was also axed from the station during the October mass firing.
The exit came roughly a year after he had wedded his lovely wife Khadija Binti Omar in a traditional wedding.
The anchor reacted to the firing message positively, noting that everything comes to an end and that he respected the changes being done at the station.
