Media Stars Who Ditched Law Degree to Anchor News

Left to right: Citizen TV's Mukami Wambora, former NTV anchor Ken Mijungu and Kiss FM presenter Kamene Goro
Left to right: Citizen TV's Mukami Wambora, former NTV anchor Ken Mijungu and Kiss FM presenter Kamene Goro.
File

As unemployment in Kenya sours, the employment sector leans more towards an individual's skills to execute duties whether or not they studied for courses in their line of work while in institutions of higher learning.

Kenyans.co.ke compiled a list of five prominent media personalities whose passion to excel in the media industry superseded their love for the coveted law degree.

Here are the media stars who ditched their law degrees and excelled in anchoring TV news.

1. Kamene Goro

Radio presenter Kamene Goro pictured at Kiss FM studios on July 13, 2020
Radio presenter Kamene Goro pictured at Kiss FM studios on July 13, 2020
Twitter

Currently regarded by many as the queen of morning radio, Kamene Goro dazzles her listeners with her mellow voice alongside Felix Odiwuor, popularly Jalang'o on Kiss FM.

Unknown to many, however, is the fact that Goro does not possess a degree in journalism but studied law.

Speaking on Jessy Junction on Tuesday, October 20, Goro explained that she pursued her law degree at the University of Nairobi (UoN).

"The job that I do was never in the plan. A lot of offers I got for university were for Economics, Broadcast for journalism and I had three other scholarships for law.

"I joined Law school and in the second year, we were dispatched to various courts across the country," stated Kamene explaining that it was at the moment she switched to media and joined Ebru TV.

She further explained that she kept the switch under wraps since her father was not pleased with her interest in media studies. She worked as a news anchor at the Station.

2. Julie Gichuru

Media personality Julie Gichuru poses for a photo.
Media personality Julie Gichuru poses for a photo.
File

During her media heydays, former Citizen TV news anchor Julie Gichuru was ranked among the best and biggest media players in the country.

She commanded millions of viewership every Sunday prime time but very few eyeballs knew that she is a graduate of law.

Julie Gichuru pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Cardiff, UK.

Currently, she is an entrepreneur and African media personality. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Arimus Media Limited, a production house focused on quality African content, and Mimi Holdings Limited, a fashion retail business.

3. Ken Mijungu

An undated image of KTN News anchor Ken Mijungu striking a pose
An undated image of KTN News anchor Ken Mijungu striking a pose
Photo: Ken Mijungu

Before exiting Nation Media in July 2020, Ken Mijungu was known as the fiery anchor who hosted the late-night Side Bar programme that posed all the hard questions to newsmakers across the country.

On the side, Mijungu also ran a legal consultancy firm called Ken Mijungu Consultancy that specialises in legal research and counsel, media, immigration and finance among others.

He pursued a Bachelor's degree in Law at Moi University.

4.  Mukami Wambora

Citizen TV Sports anchor Mukami Wambora
Citizen TV Sports anchor Mukami Wambora
Twitter

Growing up, Citizen TV sports anchor Mukami Wambora knew that she always wanted to be a lawyer but the deal breaker came when she enrolled to study for the course.

"I always wanted to be a lawyer until I actually studied law. When I found out that it wasn’t for me, I felt really lost, but I decided to finish what I had started," she told Daily Nation.

Her journey into the sports world began while she was at the Kenya School of Law. She started a sports blog and began analysing sports on radio as a hobby. 

"It is while doing the radio gig that I noticed that I really looked forward to the show on Sundays, and dreaded Mondays because I hated my job as a legal assistant at a bank," she added.

She went to the University of Liverpool for her Law degree and decided that her future was better placed in media during her part-time work as a sports presenter at Capital FM.

5. Doreen Majala

Former NTV journalist Doreen Majala
Former NTV journalist Doreen Majala
Twitter

In 2019 Christmas Day, former NTV presenter Doreen Majala pulled a surprise move when she decided to quit the station after anchoring the prime time news.

It is not clear why she made the move after spending a year and a half at the station but what is certain, however, is that she graduated with a law degree.

The certified mediator (commercial and labour relations) earned her degree from The Catholic University of East Africa between 2011 and 2014.

She is currently the chairperson of Doreen Majala Foundation.