Where are they Now? Ex-Citizen TV Anchors who Graced Kenyan TV

From left to right: media personalities Terryanne Chebet, Johnson Mwakazi and Kirigo Ng'arua.
From left to right: media personalities Terryanne Chebet, Johnson Mwakazi and Kirigo Ng'arua.
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Royal Media Services (RMS) has established itself as the upper echelon of the media industry with its flagship brand, Citizen TV, amassing 78 percent viewership of the market share, according to the latest report from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK). 

Over the years, Kenyans have tuned in to the channel in order to get their daily dose of news and entertainment content. This has birthed a number of news anchors who have captivated the audience due to their proficiency in their craft, that puts them ahead of the pack.

However, some of the news anchors, who once kept us glued to the screens, have gone amiss- leaving their fans keen to find out what they are up to. 

Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at a number of former Citizen TV anchors who have disappeared from the limelight. 

Former Citizen TV news anchor Terryanne Chebet in an Instagram post on April 12, 2020
Former Citizen TV news anchor Terryanne Chebet in an Instagram post on April 12, 2020
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Terryanne Chebet

Terryanne Chebet has amassed over 15 years in the industry- with her experience spanning across various media houses. The peak of her career is arguably at Citizen TV where she anchored prime time news as well as hosted Business Centre for three years, sometimes alongside Michael Njenga.

After exiting the station, she became the Chief Executive of Fanaka Television as well as the General Manager of Metropol TV in 2019.

She, however, quit the position in order to venture into entrepreneurship. In 2020, Chebet founded the Pink Foundry Communications (that deals with growing brands (both in the online and offline space) and Keyara Botanicals company, a home-grown skincare brand.

Media personality Johnson Mwakazi speaks during a past media interview.
Media personality Johnson Mwakazi speaks during a past media interview in August 2018.
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Johnson Mwakazi

Johnson Mwakazi 

Arguably, one of the best voice maestros in the media industry, Johnson Mwakazi seemingly walked away from the limelight at his peak- amassing eight years at Citizen TV. 

At the time, he anchored prime time news, trained students on internship, and did voice overs for various promos. 

Mwakazi left the station in May 2014, and was appointed as a brand ambassador at Pan Africa Life Assurance Limited. After serving two years, he joined the International Coalition as a public relations executive for eight months. He served another two years as an editorial director at Fountain Media Group before assuming the Chief Executive position in 2016.

He is the founder of Royal Voice International- a media company that deals with production of documentaries, voice over services as well as offering talks and training. 

Despite exiting the station eight years ago, Mwakazi is still the station's voice.

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

It seems just yesterday that Kenyans tuned in on Sundays in order to watch media personality Julie Gichuru anchor prime time news, Sunday Live. Her career in the media spans over 15 years across fields in broadcast, print and digital media. 

Prior to working at Citizen TV, she worked at Capital FM, hosting a hit radio talk. After joining RMS, she was part of the team behind the groundbreaking news show, Sunday Live, launched in 2008. 

After exiting the SK Macharia-owned giant, Julie,a lawyer by training, founded Arimus Media Limited- a production house that focuses on quality African content. Known for making a fashion statement on social media pages, Gichuru is the CEO of a retail business dubbed Mimi Holdings Limited. 

Gichuru also works for Mastercard foundation as the Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer. 

Celebrated Media Personality Janet Mbugua Moderating a Session
Celebrated Media Personality Janet Mbugua Moderating a Session in August 2021.
Janet Mbugua/Twitter

Janet Mbugua

Janet Mbugua became a household name with her well-crafted approach to news reporting, articulation and authoritative voice. Anchoring beside current Head of Communications at Deputy President William Ruto's Presidential Campaign Secretariat, Hussein Mohamed, the dynamic duo became a force to reckon with. 

She worked at Citizen TV for five years before exiting the station in 2017 to join Nation Media group as a host to Here and Now TV show.

After working for two years, she endeavoured into various charitable businesses. Founder of the Inua Dada foundation, the organisation has empowered and supported over 12,000 girls in ensuring that they come up with sustainable solutions to enable gender equality. 

Through her initiatives, she has received notable accolades such as being named among the top three best news anchors in the country by the Media Council of Kenya in 2014. Further, she was listed among the top 40 under 40 by Business Daily Africa

Former Citizen TV news anchors Belinda Obura (left), Michael Njenga and Tom Mboya.
Former Citizen TV news anchors Belinda Obura (left), Michael Njenga and Tom Mboya.
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Belinda Obura

Belinda Obura is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience spanning across radio, TV and online based. The former Citizen TV news anchor is synonymous with her time at Mediamax's K24 as a senior anchor and Features editor.

She spent one year at the station before joining triple Edge Media Limited as a media consultant in November 2014. After three years, she ventured into entrepreneurship- offering consultancy services on a contractual basis to various organisations. 

According to her Linked-in page, she has previously worked with international organisations such as African Union and United Nations as well as moderating conferences attended by high level delegates.

Former Citizen TV anchor Jacque Maribe in an Instagram post on December 19, 2019
Former Citizen TV anchor Jacque Maribe in an Instagram post on December 19, 2019.
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Jacque Maribe

Jacque Maribe 

Former Citizen TV news anchor Jacque Maribe's skill and art is undeniable. She was regarded among the top journalists at the station. In 2018, she was unveiled among the faces to anchor news in the brand relaunch- hosting Friday Night alongside Waihiga Mwaura. 

Her career in the media industry has, however, been marred with court cases- with ongoing hearings regarding the demise of businesswoman Monica Kimani. 

She currently hosts the Jacque Maribe show on her YouTube platform as well as hosts various events and conferences. 

Former Citizen TV anchor Kirigo Ng'arua at the station's studio
Former Citizen TV anchor Kirigo Ng'arua at the station's studio.
Twitter

Kirigo Ng'arua

Ex-Citizen TV news anchor Kirigo Ng'arua was undoubtedly at the top of her game during her heydays with an eight-year tenure with the station. She also hosted the Power Breakfast show that had a viewership of an average of 1 million viewership daily. 

Her world in the media industry, however, came to a halt after she was abruptly kicked out minutes before a news bulletin in 2016. Ng'arua later embarked on consultancy services at Dashers Inc for one year before landing a role in the government to serve as a media, Communications and Branding Specialist in the Coffee Sub-sector Implementation Committee. She worked for two years before exiting in June 2020.

Known to shy off the public limelight, Ng'arua frequently moderates various events and conferences regarding careers and businesses.