Award-Winning Media Owner Who Started At KBC As An Intern

Elijah Nyaanga is an award-winning journalist running his own media house in an era whereby the increasing difficulty in getting a job in the media industry has forced journalists to start their own media firms, some of which are already giving the big boys a run for their money.

Nyaanga was recognised among eight Kenyans who emerged winners in the categories of capacity building, agriculture, journalism, social enterprise, education, environmental and climate sustainability, science, and surgery during the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards held in South Africa, and who was hosted by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in his office.

The recipient of the journalism award was recognised for his innovation, leadership, and profoundness in impacting and transforming Africa under the journalism category (Newspaper/Radio/TV). 

“It has come home! Emerging as the best in the entire continent from the midst of thousands is not a joke. I thank my friends who believed in and supported me all through," he stated after winning the award.

Elijah Nyaanga, Founder and CEO of Scholar Media Africa, with his Journalism award at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's office. /SCHOLAR MEDIA AFRICA

"This is a win for Scholar Media Africa, a symbol of the efforts, impactful and truthful stories we have done, and the voice of reason we are trying to inculcate through positive storytelling. When God says yes, no one can say no,” he commented about the victory.

Commonly known as Amb. Scholarman Snr, Nyaanga currently is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Scholar Media Group Africa (SMEGA), which publishes The Scholar Newspaper and also runs the company website, as well as the Scholar Education Program (SEP).

"As the Scholar Media Group Africa's CEO & Lead Editor, I'm mainly engaged in overseeing operations to ensure the company stays afloat in the media industry.

"I share story and business ideas with my team; right from the editorial staff, marketers and correspondents from various counties, and countries with an aim of making the company achieve it's anticipated short and long-term objectives. I believe in teamwork," he describes his role on LinkedIn.

He started Scholar Media in 2017, having come from his stint as an investigative reporter at Weekly Citizen Newspaper which he joined in 2014.

Nyaanga started as an intern for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) in 2011 as a reporter and translator where he was involved in  the current affairs department, gathering of news, writing and voicing them. He also translated news items from either Kiswahili to English or vice versa for the state broadcaster's two entities; KBC Radio Taifa and KBC English Service.

He then moved to Sayare RTVN in May 2011 where he worked as a news anchor, sports editor and reporter before transitioning to Gusii Times Newspaper as a Bureau Chief based in Kisii.

He joined Hivisasa as a contributing writer from 2014 to 2016. Hivisasa became one of the few digital media companies to hit the headlines by shutting down its operations in 2020 after it was piloted in 2012 by the seed fund, 88mph, and officially launched in January 2014. In June 2015, Luminate and Novastar Ventures invested in Hivisasa.com.

In addition to founding Scholar Media, he worked as Bureau Chief, Contributing Writer, and Investigative Reporter. He also founded the African Network Forum in 2020.

"A seasoned journalist, results-oriented with over 10 years of progressive experience in the media industry. Possesses solid leadership, communication and interpersonal skills to establish rapport with staff, management, business partners, and key decision-makers in an organisation.

"I thrive in fast-paced, zestful, deadline-driven environments with highly creative and cognitively diverse teams. I lead newsroom teams to deliver celestial results. I anticipate to impact the world through my writing, content creation and digital strategies," he describes on his bio.

Nyaanga is also Kenya’s representative to the Turkey – Africa Trade & Investment Council (TATIC) as well as the country’s delegate to the Global Chamber of Business Leaders (GCBL). He is currently pursuing Communications and Media Studies at St Paul's University.

Amb Scholarman prides himself in networking/making friends as his number one hobby, probably the reason why he is always reaching out to new individuals, everyday, world-over, mainly through social media.