Celebrated Citizen TV anchor Hussein Mohamed's announcement that he was quitting the broadcaster on Friday, October 4, shocked both his colleagues and fans.
Mohamed used to host Newsnight, every Tuesday and had fans were speculating on his ideal replacement, with many debating between endeared anchor Yvonne Okwara and the energetic Jeff Koinange.
Koinange and Okwara host JK Live and News Gang shows every week on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
However, a social media post by the media house on Tuesday, October 22, showed Trevor Ombija as the host of the show for that day.
The interpretation by fans on social media was that the mantle may have fallen on Ombija who was scheduled to be hosting Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa.
Sources inside the media house played coy with the matter, stating that they were not yet sure if Ombija would take over the show.
"Hussein hosted his last show on Tuesday, October 15, where he interviewed Thirdway Alliance's Ekuru Aukot. He announced his decision to quit. I am not sure if Ombija is his long-term replacement though," the source, who sought anonymity, told Kenyans.co.ke.
However, Ombija himself thwarted the speculations while heaping praise on Mohamed and his fellow anchors.
"I am standing in for Mohamed who is unwell. No one can replace him and the decision on who will take over has not yet been made. I believe whoever will be chosen will be up to the task and will bring his or her own unique style to the show," Ombija informed Kenyans.co.ke.
Hussein called it quits after a stellar 10-year career at the country's most-watched broadcaster and hasn't announced his next juncture yet.
"It has been a wonderful 10 years at Citizen TV. I have enjoyed & relished every moment I shared with my colleagues at RMS.
"I have decided to take a break after October In Sha Allah to concentrate on other matters. Loved the fans, the critics & everything in between. See you soon," he posted on his Twitter page.
Before hosting Newsnight, he hosted The Big Question alongside former Citizen TV news anchor Janet Mbugua.
