In an earlier report of this series, we outlined Kenyan journalists who switched stations but now it turns out, they are more.
Dozens of both seasoned journalists and those working hard to make a mark have switched stations, probably more than any other year of this century.
This was in part influenced by the rapid opening of new media houses as well as hosting the largest BBC’s bureau outside of Britain which was determined to hire more than 250 local talent.
The move even left some houses devoid of anchors and management in what was considered as a media exodus.
Here are additional shifts we witnessed in the year 2018.
10. Enock Sikolia
In June, at the height of mass departure from a then seemingly embattled Nation Media, Enock Sikolia also followed suit and ditched the Kimathi Street media house for the Dennis Pritt-based Citizen TV.
Sikolia is a revered political reporter who joined other well established reporters at the SK Macharia-owned station.
His report debuted on Citizen TV screen on June 4.
9. Peter Mwangangi
In July, a few months after Larry Madowo had started his new job at BBC, he reportedly returned to NTV to poach additional talent.
Peter Mwangangi, a revered reporter who was based at the Coastal region during his time at NTV, joined the British-owned media house in July alongside business reporter Hudheifa Aden.
8. Hudheifa Aden
Aden, a trained lawyer, left NTV in July to join BBC where he now works under his former colleague Larry Madowo.
While at NTV, his first employer, Aden worked on the station’s Business desk.
7. Richard Kagoe
In August, another top 9 pm news anchor, Richard Kagoe, was poached from K24 to join British Government-owned media house, BBC.
The Communications and Media Studies graduate has an illustrious journalism career spanning more than a decade and a half since joining TBN Media family as a radio presenter in 2004.
He later joined K24 in 2007 and climbed up the ranks to be the head of News Anchors at the privately owned media house.
6. Lynn Wachira
Lynn Wachira, a celebrated sports anchor who is among the few females in that industry, and was in February, reportedly poached from KTN to join BBC.
5. Ian Wafula
In August, former K24 anchor Ian Wafula successfully joined British Broadcasting corporation after being rejected a record four times.
After the revelation, the celebrated journalist went further to thank all those who supported his career with a special message to Larry Madowo, who he was set to join at the BBC.
"Thanking my family and close friends for standing by me. Special thanks to Larry Madowo for the three challenging words “You deserve better” that took me off my comfort zone to yearn for greater," he posted on social media.
4. Sharon Momanyi
Shortly after winning journalist of the year award alongside Hussein Mohamed, Sharon Momanyi ditched KTN station for Citizen TV where she was to step into the shoes left by Anne Mawathe, Mercy Kandie and Sylvia Chebet who decamped to BBC.
Momanyi had just been promoted to be KTN’s features editor at her time of departure.
She is a revered features reporter.
3. Mashirima Kapombe
In July, Citizen TV raided KTN for their top talent that was aimed at boosting Kiswahili department. At the time, Kanze Dena was leaving for her State House appointment while Lulu Hassan was nearing her maternity leave.
Kapombe was a top Swahili anchor and a human interest reporter during her stay at KTN where she joined in 2013.
She had previously worked at NTV and at Daystar University radio station, Shine FM, where she schooled.
2. Mercy Kandie
In July, Citizen TV suffered a blow after BBC raided it making away with star reporters among them the experienced Mercy Kandie.
The raid came at a time when the international broadcaster had just set up Ksh1 billion regional studios in Kenya and embarked on a recruitment spree.
Kandie is a celebrated features reporter who had joined Citizen TV in 2016 from KTN.
1. Joe Ageyo
In June, shortly after quitting his Managing Editor position at KTN, Joe Ageyo was unveiled as the new Editorial Director at Citizen TV.
The respected journalist was assuming the position after earlier reports indicated that Peter Opondo, who was the Managing Editor at Citizen TV, had resigned in March for a new position at the Ministry of Lands.
Ageyo joined KTN in 2000 as a general news reporter, with a special focus on environmental stories.
He is widely acclaimed as having pioneered Environmental Journalism on Kenyan television.
Additionally, various other shifts were experienced in the radio world. Here are some of the cases.
1. Francis Luchivya
At around the same time his co-host, Wilbroda, was calling it a day at Citizen Radio, Francis Luchivya also handed in his notice and headed to Milele FM.
Luchivya had joined the station in 2010 replacing Vincent Ateya who had then left for Qwetu Radio.
2. Alex Mwakideu
In July, radio guru Alex Mwakideu quit Radio Maisha to reunite with his earlier co-host Jalang’o at Milele FM
Through a social media post then, the renowned presenter revealed that he had spent eight years at the Mombasa Road based station.
“Whatever has a beginning must come to an end...I will miss Radio Maisha and I will always remember the first day (after) we official(ly) launched this station during my show,” the presenter posted on social media and left his popular show to Otoyo who had earlier appeared as a surprise guest.
Alex was a few months later appointed as head of radio at the Media Max-owned Milele FM.
3. Mbaruk Mwalimu and Billy Miya
After Alex Mwakideu left Radio Maisha, Standard Group hired Mbaruk Mwalimu and Mbaruk Miya to be the new captains of the popular Maisha Asubuhi show.
Prior to joining the Radio Maisha team, the duo was working for Baraka FM in Mombasa.
The breakfast show, Maisha Asubuhi, was ranked among the most listened to radio programmes in the country following the reputation built over the years by Captain Mwakideu.
