Kenyan Journalists Who Became News Themselves In 2023
However, just like any other career, journalists turn to headline makers themselves in their line of duty for various reasons, be it good or bad
Marvin Chege 
For the entire part of 2023, members of the Fourth Estate ranging from journalists to editors have been working in tandem to bring you news coverage...even during holidays and weekends as they would say 'the news never sleeps'.
However, just like any other career, journalists turn to headline makers themselves in their line of duty for various reasons, be it good or bad, and the more likely category to achieve celebrity status is TV anchors, especially those in mainstream media.
Viral Tea has ensured ruthless and no-holds-barred coverage of the media industry in 2023 and brings you journalists who made headlines this year:
Flora Limukii
The most recent headline maker was Flora Limukii who announced her exit from TV47 after one year.
In a statement on Wednesday, December 20, Limukii indicated that the right time came to venture into other greener pastures. While hosting her final Morning Cafe show, she was almost reduced to tears as her colleagues bid her goodbye.
Flora Limukii outside TV47 studios. /FLORA LIMUKII
"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.
Touted as one of the most vibrant Generation-Z reporters in the country, Limukii prides herself as an enthusiastic journalist in search of a fast-paced environment to work in as well as disseminate human interest-oriented and impactful stories.
By the time of publishing this article, she had yet to reveal her next move.
Kimani Mbugua
The former Citizen TV presenter returned to the media space with a new show that started on Sunday, October 15, days after Kenyans managed to raise Ksh420,000 to help him get his life back on track.
Mbugua on Saturday, October 14 shared a video on his social media platforms where he is seen interviewing Kenyans at random in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), something he does best and has been known to do well for years.
His new show is dubbed 'UnBroken' and sees him narrate unique stories in line with his journalism career as well as approach Kenyans to ask them to share their story on real issues affecting us daily.
The 27-year-old was known for his youthful approach to the news before his media career came to an end in 2020. Mbugua's journey through mental illness began that year when he was diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder, a condition that significantly impacted his life and career.
Mbugua announced that he was looking for a business partner to finance his ideas, which included working with creatives in the content creation industry in Kenya, adding that he needed to register a company and then raise Ksh200,000 for the idea to pick up.
However, Nyako, a popular TikTok personality, made use of the social media platform's live sessions to mobilise Kenyans to raise a total of Ksh420,000 in one and a half hours.
Abubakar Abdullahi
The former TV47 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) launched his new media outlet dedicated to telling stories regarding Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
Speaking to Viral Tea, Abubakar revealed that the niche media outlet, Giving Post Media (thegivingpost.org) was to be launched on Friday, August 4.
In a statement on Monday, July 31, he expressed that the disruptive idea for the media outlet will seek to provide a voice to the over 12,000 NGOs in the country and the impact as well as contributions they make to communities.
Abubakar hailed the upcoming media house as a game-changer utilising the might of the media to bring about positive change to audiences globally through highlighting stories of NGOs leaving a positive impact on communities as well as bringing social issues to the limelight.
He left the helm at TV47 after four years to pursue other interests.
Caroline Mutoko
Veteran radio presenter Caroline Mutoko was on Thursday, August 3 treated to a special farewell ceremony by Radio Africa Group, where she served for 23 years.
The Lions Place, Westlands-based media house announced Mutoko's retirement on Tuesday, July 11 and at the same time staged a farewell party in honour of her as well as Program Controller Peter Sinclair and Group Chief Finance Officer Robert Kibutiri. Mutoko was RAG's Group Marketing Manager.
However, Mutoko was absent from the initial announcement, with a source familiar with details of the meeting telling Viral Tea at the time that Mutoko was unable to make it to the farewell meeting having already departed by mutual agreement with RAG's management.
Caroline Mutoko during her farewell ceremony at Radio Africa offices on August 3, 2023. /THE STAR
Weeks later, Radio Africa held another farewell ceremony to celebrate Mutoko's career and contributions to the media house which was also attended by Khafafa as well as Radio Africa Group CEO Patrick Quarcoo.
She shared how her journey with Radio Africa began, and with the belief and trust of the board and management, she swiftly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the iconic breakfast show host on Kiss FM.
Mutoko worked as a radio presenter at Capital FM for four years before moving to Kiss FM where she became a household name and figure for 14 years.
Eric Njiru & Mukami Wambora
Sports journalists Eric Njiru and Mukami Wambora were on Saturday, April 15 elected to lead the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK).
The Homeboyz Radio presenter and Radio Africa Group (RAG) sports journalist confirmed to Viral Tea that he was elected the SJAK Vice-President while Wambora, formerly of Citizen TV, was elected the Treasurer.
Njiru, who was in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and whose coverage of the tournament through updates on social media won hearts among sports fans in the country, revealed that he will use the knowledge acquired in the Arabic nation through his interaction with colleagues across the globe to shape the local sporting journalism.
Wambora silently left Citizen TV in 2022 after a five-year stint. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with some years of experience in the legal field.
Francis Gachuri
The former Citizen TV political editor surprised many when he was poached by the Ministry of Interior for a job in the communications position in President William Ruto's government.
At the Interior Ministry, Gachuri serves as the Head of Communications. He is responsible for creating, delivering, and evaluating communication strategies.
Viral Tea was the first to officially break the news of Gachuri's departure from the Royal Media Services (RMS), having been at Citizen TV for the last 16 years where he had grown to be a national icon on television screens owing to his reporting on matters of politics.
Interestingly, RMS was where he started his career and has traversed several roles; Senior Political Reporter, Editor, and Commentator on the NewsGang programme.
At RMS' Kikuyu TV station, Inooro TV, Gachuri also worked as a News Presenter, where he hosts a programme known as Kiririmbi that broadcasts between 8 pm and 9 pm. On the Kiririmbi show, Gachuri often hosted people with divergent views on politics and current affairs, especially those from Kenya's political divide.
At Newsgang, he shared his views on recent occurrences in the political divide alongside Yvonne Okwara, Jamila Mohamed and Linus Kaikai on Thursdays from 10 pm to midnight.
Terry Muikamba
The former Classic 105 presenter on Tuesday, May 30 lost a lawsuit whereby she was seeking Ksh5,662,738.68 from her former employer, Radio Africa Group (RAG), for “constructive dismissal” in 2020.
Also known by her real name Teresia Wanjiru Muikamba, the former drive show host sought Ksh2,160,000 as the value of an “unexpired contract” and Ksh3,502,738.68 as general damages for unlawful termination equivalent to 12 months’ pay for what she alleged was wrongful and unfair termination.
However, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) in Nairobi only granted her Ksh6,000 for voice-over services she offered while at the Lions Place-based media house and issued her a certificate of service per section 51 of the Employment Act, dismissing her other claims.
Muikamba sued Radio Africa at the ELRC court in 2021 seeking compensation in a suit where she claimed she was forced to step down from the company owing to a toxic working environment which amounted to constructive dismissal.
"Two years ago, I took legal action against my former employer, it was not a decision I took lightly.
"My intention was to create awareness and encourage a transformative change in the workplace culture, not just for myself but for all current and future employees. It was about challenging the status quo and fighting against a culture that normalized toxic behaviour," she expressed in reaction to the ruling.
