The media industry, like many other sectors, has been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of employees have lost their jobs with over 400 media professionals in Kenya losing their jobs in 2020.
Many of these journalists are well-known and have invested many years in the industry and their exits shocked their viewers.
However, a few bold and audacious news anchors voluntarily left their workstations to seek other opportunities for growth.
Betty Kyallo
Betty Kyallo’s last day at K24 TV caught many by surprise when she made the announcement during a live news bulletin.
Her fans and industry professionals were caught unaware with many left speculating on social media why she left Mediamax group barely two years after she joined K24.
It is believed that she opted to concentrate on creating digital content on YouTube with her show - Betty Kyallo Lately - enjoying thousands of subscribers. Her salon, Flair, was also at a critical growth stage.
She also re-launched her state-of-the-art salon which has proven to be her most successful business venture yet.
The beauty industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in Kenya, having grown from a value of Ksh26 billion in 2014 to over Ksh100 billion in 2020.
Ann Kiguta
Hers was arguably the boldest resignation in the media in 2020, having left a show she conceptualized at K24 TV.
The anchor disclosed that she had exited the Punchline Show after a fundamental disagreement on the editorial process.
Multiple sources intimated to Kenyans.co.ke that a team of political operatives brought in by the management had been taking over the editorial direction of the show. The journalist, known to be fiercely independent on editorial matters, had disagreed with the changes.
In an off-the-script editorial, Kiguta further explained that she endeavoured to invite all politicians from all walks of life and divides in line with her duty as a journalist.
During the mass layoff that hit the media station in May 2020, the show was spared as Kiguta and her team had built it to become one of the most authoritative political show that hosts some of the country's political bigwigs.
A source involved in the show's production told Kenyans.co.ke that Punchline, known for hard-hitting interviews, would remain intact.
Mohammed Hussein
The former KTN news anchor left the station in November, ending a 9-year stint at the Standard Group-owned media station.
The journalist did not announce where he was headed but told his fans that they would soon see him.
Mohammed was a crimes and investigations editor who exposed the ills in Kenyan society.
Some of the stories that he has done include a series dubbed Jihadi Brides, where the journalist exposed the secret lives of Al Shabaab, children's theft syndicate, among others.
Joyce Omondi
The soft-spoken TV presenter did her last show, Full Circle at Switch TV in December.
In a surprise move, her husband Citizen TV news anchor Waihiga Mwaura arrived on set holding a bouquet of flowers.
Joyce couldn’t hide her joy as she watched the love of her life share in the emotional send-off by Switch TV Head of Content Miss Tamima.
Though she did not tell her fans what the next phase of her life would be, Waihiga tried to edge her to reveal in due time.
The media personality steered truthful, genuine and inspiring discussions. Her program, which featured a relationship segment with clinical psychologist Benjamin Zulu, was one of the most popular slots on TV.
Muthoni Mukiri
Inooro TV anchor Muthoni Mukiri resigned after working at the station for five years.
She was one of the pioneering news anchors at the vernacular station and boasted a good command of Kikuyu, English and Swahili languages.
Kwiiturura, one of her premium shows, featured the youth highlighting their successes, struggles and passion.
Mukiri had immense love for the teens and she used her free time on motivational talks and giving back to the youth.
With a huge social media following Mukiri has managed to be at the forefront in social media influencing with her love for fashion.
