People Daily Journalist Quits Media After 12 Years To Join Ruto Govt

Munira Shaban Mandano, a long-serving People Daily newspaper reporter, is the latest individual to bid her media career goodbye after she joined the office of the deputy government spokesperson in President William Ruto's government.

Speaking to Viral Tea, sources privy to happenings at Mediamax Limited confirmed that she joined the office currently run by former K24 and KTN News anchor, Mwanaisha Chidzuga and Gabriel Muthuma where she is serving in the capacity of personal assistant.

A message seen by Viral Tea which Munira sent to her colleagues saw her thank them for the period that she has worked with them as journalists based in Kwale County throughout her 12-year career.

Former People Daily reporter Munira Shaban Mandano. /MUNIRA SHABAN MANDANO

"Everything that has a start must definitely have an end. It is now my time to say goodbye and open a new chapter elsewhere.

"For the 12 years I have been in the newsrooms I got both positive and negative experiences that have shaped me into who I am today," the message read in part.

Munira appreciated them and expressed her anticipation of working closely with them even in her new position.

"I say thank you very much and I am looking forward to still working with you closely from where I will be. Let's continue keeping in touch. InshaAllah," she concluded.

Though it is yet to be established which personal assistant she will serve under, Munira's role will see her assist with keeping either Chidzuga or Muthuma organized and on schedule. This can include running errands, managing calendars, taking notes and responding to correspondences.

The two on the other hand deputize Isaac Mwaura, who is the government spokesperson and they help communicate government policies, programs, and initiatives to the public on behalf of President William Ruto's government through media channels, represent the government positively and professionally, and provide timely and accurate information.

Munira is among veteran journalists who have participated in transforming the political and social development agenda in Kwale since 2013 when she was transferred from Mombasa owing to her reporting skills.

She has been writing for the People Daily newspaper for over 10 years with interests in sports, tourism, human interests, environment, and crime stories among others in Mombasa and Kwale counties.

The Technical University of Mombasa alumni brings a lot of knowledge to the office of deputy government spokesperson having done her advanced level form five and six in Botswana.

From Francis Gachuri to Najma Ismail, from Sophia Wanuna to Kennedy Muriithi, a record number of prolific journalists left behind their lucrative media careers in 2023, some of them after spending years curating and delivering news to members of the public on television.

President Ruto's government has been on a raiding spree, poaching prominent media personalities to the administration in its quest to portray a better image to members of the public daily.

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