Media houses are falling prey to county governments as more big names exit the industry to pick up more lucrative roles.
On Tuesday night, one of the most celebrated and award-winning Swahili news presenters, Ebru TV head of News Victor Wetende, announced his exit from the screens.
He took a deep breath, paused for a moment and expressed his gratification to the viewers accompanied by the announcement that it was the last time they were seeing him on air.
"Naomba kukupa kwaheri ya kuonana maanake hii ndio mara ya mwisho nikikuletea Mwanga wa Ebru," (May I say goodbye as it is the last time I am presenting Mwanga Wa Ebru)," announced Wetende.
[caption caption="Wetende during a recent news bulletin (PHOTO/COURTESY)"]
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Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Wetende confirmed that he left the station after being appointed Communications Director for Vihiga county government.
"Reflecting on the growth I have experienced in my career, from being a reporter to a Head of News, I feel humbled. As I leave, may God expand your good heart. Ebru TV, Nadir Kiliç, Thank you Sir! for trusting and helping me grow. I will miss you. To my viewers, my appreciation to you is beyond measure," Wetende wrote on his social media page.
His exit marks the end of his three and a half years at Ebru TV where he started off as a reporter.
Wetende's Swahili journalism back in his days as a Citizen TV reporter had seen him bag top awards from venerated Swahili author Wallah bin Wallah.
He joined Citizen TV as an intern while studying at Multimedia University and was hired by the station for his good mastery of the art and stylish use of language in the presentation of his work.
[caption caption="Victor Wetende has been awarded by KEMEP for excellence in Journalism(PHOTO/COURTESY)"]
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He worked at Royal Media Services for three and a half years before being shoveled over to Ebru first as a reporter.
He rose through the ranks and was head of Swahili news and later to his resignation as the station's head of news.
Wetende has on two occasions featured in the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards(AJEA) as first runners-up in the Media Council of Kenya awards.
He ignited his talent immediately after clearing at Emusire high school when working as an untrained teacher at a school in Kakamega.
Torn between teaching and pursuit for his desire to be a journalist, Wetende opted to volunteer with MMUST FM, a radio station run by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
In July alone, investigative journalists Denis Onsarigo - KTN and NTV's Steve Juma quit to serve as Taita Taveta and Tana River communication directors respectively.
Video of Wetende announcing his exit;
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