Media personalities who left their TV shows and have no desire to return on screen

Piece by: Euodia Bore
Lifestyle

This year alone, dozens of both seasoned and upcoming journalists left broadcasters, some in pursuit of better pastures or simply to take a break.

Some of the departures were influenced by retrenchments owing to media convergence or dwindling revenues emerging from the deteriorating economy that spelt doom across almost all industries.

Here are some of the most ground-shaking media departures we witnessed.

Hussein Mohamed

Having been working at Citizen TV, renowned news anchor Hussein Mohamed ended his 10-year stint at in an emotional bulletin.

Arguably the most shocking departure the media had witnessed in 2019.

The celebrated journalist announced his exit on Twitter on Friday, October 4, indicating that he intended to concentrate on "other matters". It is not known where he headed.

Regina-Re

Regina-Re, her full name is Regina Wambui Gitau , hosted the show 'Who's Smarter Now' which aired on KTN, Sunday night.

The show entailed Regina asking questions to a contestant, who was then expected to answer in 60 minutes. The winner would later walk away with a reward.

Regina, who had a wide following during the time, has kept off the screens for quite some time and has focused on full-time business as a Personal Growth & Development Trainer, Creative & Performing Artist.

She has a background in Psychology and Mass Communications.

Jacque Maribe

The former Citizen TV screen siren Jackie Maribe had a rough two years that saw her resign from her job at the station.

In October 2018, Royal Media Services (RMS), Maribe’s employer, had come to her defence after she was charged with the murder of Monica Kimani.

However, in July 2019, multiple sources intimated to Kenyans.co.ke that the anchor had been given an ultimatum to either resign or face the sack. She chose the latter.

Winnie Mukami

Winnie Mukami gained fame in 2003 when NTV was launched after she became a news anchor in the station.

However, she had started her career journey at KBC as a TV and radio current affairs presenter and producer two years before.

However, in 2010, she left the station and founded her own public relations consultancy known as Winners Frontiers International Limited, which she still runs.

Serah Teshna

Serah Teshna, left K24 TV in May after working there for one and a half years, to pursue her career in acting.

Teshna, who was the ‘K24 Alfajiri’ show host, thanked her directors, producers and the Mediamax fraternity for entrusting her with the show in November 13, 2017.

In early December, the former anchor resurfaced on TV screens as an actor on an NTV series, ‘Pieces of us’.

Catherine Kasavuli

Her journey in the media industry began in 1980 as a radio continuity announcer and later joined TV in 1985.

The TV queen has over 30 years of experience in the industry.

The gifted presenter warmed the hearts of many who watched her bulletin's throughout her career.

She then received numerous awards in industry, including an accolade, 'The Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya' from former President Mwai Kibaki.

After she retired from Citizen TV, the veteran journalist founded Kasavuli Media Group Limited.

Mwanaisha Chidzuga

Former news anchor Mwanaisha Chidzuga was among 160 workers at Mediamax who were shown the door on October 30, 2019.

Chidzuga disclosed that her contract was scheduled to end in November 2019, and that she was, in fact, a caterer by profession and her engagement with the broadcaster was on a part-time basis.

"For me, K24 TV was part-time. I am a full-time caterer and I own three restaurants. K24 TV was a hobby and I used to work like 12 hours the whole month," Chidzuga revealed.

Ahmed Bhalo

The former K24 TV anchor who co-hosted Swahili bulletin with Mwanaisha Chidzuga, was also axed from the station during the October mass firing.

The exit came roughly a year after he had wedded his lovely wife Khadija Binti Omar in a traditional wedding.

The anchor reacted positively to the firing message, noting that everything comes to an end and that he respected the changes being done at the station.