Susan Kihika Picks NTV Anchor For County Role

His name is among 21 others whose names have been forwarded for vetting by the County Assembly.

Susan Kihika Picks NTV Anchor For County Role
Nakuru Governor, Susan Kihika and NTV news anchor, Salim Swaleh. /VIRALTEAKE

Nakuru County Governor Susan Kihika has nominated NTV Swahili managing editor cum news anchor, Salim Swaleh for a special role in her government.

Swaleh, in a notice seen by Viral Tea, was picked for the position of Information and Communications Technology, ICT, e-Government and Public Communication chief officer.

His name is among 21 others whose names have been forwarded for vetting by the County Assembly.

Salim Swaleh during a past NTV news bulletin.

“Pursuant to the provisions of the County Government of 2022, the county government placed an advert for qualified applicants to apply for the position of county chief officers. Twenty-one names found suitable have been forwarded to the county assembly for vetting and approval," read the notice in part.

Reacting to the appointment, Swaleh explained that his role is different from a communication spokesperson as he would be serving under the County Executive Committee (CEC) within the County government. 

"Yes, it's the same industry but a different trajectory. The role of a public communication chief officer is different from a communication spokesperson in that they work under the CEC within the county government," he disclosed.

Swaleh added that he would tender his resignation at the Nation Media Group (NMG) once the approval process is complete.

Other journalists whose names were forwarded include NMG's Nakuru-based photographer Titus Cheboite Kigen (photographer), Martin Gichinga (director of communication) and Kigotho Mwangi (deputy director of communication). 

In addition, former Nakuru Level Five Hospital superintendent John Murima and Nakuru County Assembly Clerk Joseph Mutua Malinda were nominated to the House as Medical Services and Finance and Revenue Administration respectively. 

Swaleh joined NTV after he resigned from Royal Media Services' (RMS) Citizen TV in 2018.

‘’Yes, it is true I left Citizen TV a week ago. I resigned for personal reasons not because of what I am reading online. My salary and the little I get from my businesses are enough money for me.

"I am a professional journalist who has worked with international media entities,” Swaleh said after exiting the Kilimani-based media house.

The nomination comes amidst governors trusting those formerly in the media space with various roles within county governments in a bid to enhance their Cabinet two months after they were sworn in to office.

Chanelle Kittony, who worked at Radio Africa Group as the Client Service Executive and in charge of events and activations across the city and the country for one year, was nominated to the Trans Nzoia CEC under Governor George Natembeya in the Gender, Youth, Sports and Culture docket.

Photo collage of Chanelle Kittony nominated as CEC position by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya on Friday, October 14, 2022. /CHANELLE KITTONY.MICH OLINGA

The ravishingly-beautiful woman is the daughter of Kiprono Kittony, the chairman of both Radio Africa Group and the National Securities Exchange (NSE).

Citizen TV's Nicky Gitonga was appointed the Kwale County director of communications in the office of the Governor and the county's spokesperson.

Marvin is a man who wears many hats as well as one of many talents. The digital journalist and editor rose from studying a Psychology degree at the United States International University-Africa (USIU) and working as an intern at Kenyans.co.ke to the Founder & Editor-In-Chief at Viral Tea Ke, driving it into one of the fastest-growing digital media platforms in the country. He believes in serving that hot tea; every day and every hour. His skills include editing, writing, social media analytics, teamwork, and good communication skills and is ready to learn, re-learn and unlearn. Previously, Marvin also served as the Digital Editor at Bright Kenya News and has had stints at 254News.co.ke and Afrotape.com as a Content Curator His works as a commentator have been featured in newspapers such as Daily Nation, Business Daily, The Star and People Daily either solo or alongside other fellow young journalists. He is a believer in growing young talent in the media industry, passing on lessons learnt from other experienced digital journalists to scribes that look up to him. Currently, he is pushing to have aviation journalism popular among media houses in Kenya. As a believer in victory, he is a fan of Chelsea Football Club and some say he has a radio voice.

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