Former NTV Anchor Jane Ngoiri Appointed To Govt Tribunal

Former NTV news anchor Jane Ngoiri was appointed on Friday, March 10 by President William Ruto's government.

In a Gazette Notice, Attorney General Justin Muturi appointed the former Nation Media Group (NMG) journalist to the HIV and AIDS Tribunal.

It consists of seven members that include her and Carolyne Mboku (the Chairperson), Nelson Wanyonyi Osiemo, Brian Ouko Yego, Dr Irene Njahira Mukui, Prof Walter Godfrey Jaoko and Dr Solomon Musani. 

Jane Ngoiri at her former workplace, NTV studios. /FILE

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 25 (1) of the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act, the Attorney-General appoint, the chairperson and members of the HIV and AIDS Tribunal," the notice read in part.

The tribunal, which took effect on Friday, March 10, will be serving for three years.

The HIV and AIDS Tribunal was established in 2009 through the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act, of 2006. Its creation in Kenya, the first of its kind, globally represents a bold step towards promoting laws and policies that advance human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The HIV and AIDS Tribunal has the powers to receive evidence, hear witness accounts, conduct full hearings and pass judgments on all matters arising out of any breach of the provisions of the Act but excludes criminal jurisdiction.

Ngoiri stepped down from NTV in 2021, stating that it was for "personal reasons" and that she would reveal her next move in her career. She was well known for her Swahili news bulletin through NTV Jioni at 7 pm alongside Nimrod Taabu and Salim Swaleh, the former having moved to Citizen TV in 2019.

She, before NTV, served as an English news anchor at K24. She had also undertaken investigative pieces such as Sisters of Death and Nairobi’s Bum Enhancers showcasing her prowess in human interest stories.

In December 2020, Ngoiri was among 158 civilians awarded the Head of State Commendation (HSc) by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

Ngoiri is among an increasing number of former journalists poached by President Ruto's government to state jobs ever since it took power on September 13, 2022.

Read also: Francis Gachuri, Karen Knaust: 7 Journalists Who Quit For Govt Jobs