Citizen TV's Sam Ogina Quits For Govt Job

Senior political reporter Sam Ogina left Royal Media Services (RMS) TV station, Citizen TV after six years at the Kilimani-based media house.

Reports indicated that he landed a new job in the office of the Majority leader at the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung'wah, joining the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) as a senior communications officer attached to the National Assembly.

However, sources based at RMS revealed to Viral Tea that he had departed as late as last year, 2022.

National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung'wah. /FILE

"Yes, he left a long time ago. Last year. I had no idea where he went. It was just the other day that he was called for a bash combined with Gachuri," revealed the source.

Ogina penned a farewell message to his colleagues on November 20, 2022, appreciating them for supporting him during his time at the media house and went on to wish them the very best in their endeavours.

"Thanks to everyone here for the amazing support during my time at RMS. Wishing you the very best both individually and collectively.

"May you keep the spirit of Team Excellence. Keep winning. It is adiós amigos (farewell, my friends) for me," the message seen by Viral Tea read in part.

Ogina established a name for himself during his six years at Citizen TV as a seasoned journalist who could provide in-depth analysis of political and social issues. He worked with his former Senior Editor, Francis Gachuri, who left the station on March 2, 2023.

The alumnus of Daystar University joined Kenya Television Network (KTN News) for more than five years (between 2012 to 2016) before joining RMS in 2018.

Ogina now joins a long list of journalists who have quit the media for government jobs and they include the likes of Kennedy Murithi, Salim Swaleh, Nicky Gitonga, Charles Odhiambo and Karen Karimi.

Gachuri's exit from RMS was highly publicised given the 17 years he spent with the station while rising to become one of the top political journalists in Kenya. During his farewell speech on the News Gang show, Gachuri reflected on his journey at the media house thanking his colleagues, bosses, and viewers for the support they have given him.

Yvonne Okwara also noted that they would have celebrated five years of knowing each other and being friends in May, thanking him for being a great friend, colleague, and also a mentor and they even ended up playing a Nursery Rhyme game "By shot, I love you, baby."

 "I'm just really happy for you with this transition that you have. I am sad at the same time because I won't get to see you every day but they are really lucky to have you and I'm sure that you will do a fantastic job," Okwara said emotionally. 

On the other hand, Linus Kaikai the Royal Media Editorial Director described him as an industry jewel and a golden boy of political journalism adding that the Ministry of Interior would be lucky to have him insisting that the industry will be poor without him.

"And wherever you always go always say the truth and stick by the truth and we will miss you," he added.

The media house also celebrated Gachuri by showcasing how he has evolved from how he used to report and as the video played the celebrated journalist stared in disbelief and was taken by emotions not believing the growth that has come with all that.

Gachuri then hosted his last Kiririmbi show on Inooro TV where he was bid goodbye by MPs he had hosted among them John Kiarie, Kimani Ichungwa and Kanini Kega.

He joined the Ministry of Interior where he will head the communication department.