Alarm At TV47 After Exit Of Top Journalists In Almost 3 Weeks
Months after building what it touted as its dream team to take the fight to the bigger media houses such as Citizen TV, NTV and KTN, TV47 has seen some high-profile names leave.
Marvin Chege 
Cape Media Limited TV station, TV47 looks to be heading for turbulent times following the exit of a series of top journalists for greener pastures, an exodus that is almost turning three weeks old.
The station made headlines in 2023 following its poaching spree that saw the recruitment of big names from rival media houses, some of which are ailing financially, including Standard Group Limited.
Months after building what it touted as its dream team to take the fight to the bigger media houses such as Citizen TV, NTV and KTN, TV47 has seen some high-profile names leave.
The latest high-profile departure, as reported by Viral Tea, was popular news anchor, Grace Kuria, who left TV47 having joined from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) six months ago.
Grace Kuria posing for a photo following a roundtable interview with President William Ruto at State House on December 17, 2023. /FACEBOOK.GRACE KURIA
"Hello, team. Happy New Year! It's been an awesome 6 months plus at TV47, working alongside a fantastic, gifted team with so much potential," an internal message to her colleagues seen by Viral Tea read in part.
She expressed her gratitude to them, particularly those she worked with during the weekends that she was presenting the 9 pm news bulletin as well as two feature shows.
"I'm grateful to each one of you, and particularly those we worked with every Saturday and Sunday, on HerSay and ToThePoint. Like they say, it's not a goodbye but a see you later. Blessings to each one of you," she signed off.
Sources had informed us that Kuria was heading to an international media house, which is still yet to be known.
At the station, Kuria hosted HerSay - a segment that aired every Saturday on the Weekend Edition that focuses on empowering women and highlighting the pivotal role they play in society.
Further, she hosted ToThePoint - another segment on Weekend Edition every Sunday which focused on providing detailed coverage of the country's political events. Both came after the weekend news bulletins at 9 pm.
Kuria was among the key names hired by TV47 following its revamp and shifting locations to its new studios in Muthaiga. Others included former KTN News anchors George Maringa, Fred Indimuli and Ahmed Bahaj as well as former Citizen TV's Willis Raburu who joined later.
She has amassed over six years of experience in the media industry, having worked with K24, CGTN, KTN News and the BBC.
Before Kuria's exit, Generation Z journalist Flora Limukii announced her exit from TV47 after one year.
"After 1 year and close to 5 months at TV47, today marks my last day on air, time has come to explore another venture.
"I’m grateful to the management, colleagues and friends whom I have forged a great relationship with over time. Many thanks to my online fans as well and your contribution in growing my online brand visibility," she stated on her X account.
Limukii then joined CNBC Africa based in Kigali, Rwanda, a move that was unexpected for many Kenyans who keenly followed her given the popularity she amassed on social media which had many believe that she would be headed for one of the big Kenyan media giants.
Another journalist, entertainment presenter Tony Mwirigi, announced his departure after four years and eight months.
Mwirigi, who hosted the weekly show Bomba la Sanaa, expressed gratitude to his bosses, acknowledging the achievements made during his tenure.
"Connecting East Africa And Africa at Large Through Music + Entertainment was my Target 4 Years and 4 Months ago, and I am Glad we achieved That and more Through the Bomba La Sanaa show - It's Been Great Being part of This Family for The Past 4 Years 8 Months! Time now to Step Out. First Glory To God," Mwirigi shared in his post on Tuesday, January 9.
He credited the Operation Manager, Wilson Mbugua, for giving him his first chance as an intern in April 2019. Mwirigi expressed gratitude to the former CEO, Eugene Anangwe, for believing in him and initiating the Bomba La Sanaa show on July 18, 2019.
The departing presenter also gave special acknowledgement to his co-host, Miss Kimuyu, describing her as a star and encouraging her to keep shining. Mwirigi did not announce his next move.
Some circles believe that TV47's loss of its top journalists, some to international media platforms, could be a result of its sporadic rise in a competitive media industry while aligning with the needs of the digital media space, something the media house hopes is temporary.
Of late, TV stations have struggled to adapt to the ever-changing digital media environment, having to face intensifying competition from adaptable radio stations, digital native media houses, bloggers and influencers commanding a larger audience, forcing mainstream media to add value to their day-to-day news through pundits, panellists, live interviews, special news coverages and mid-morning news updates.
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