KTN News, owned by the Standard Media Group has lost yet another top journalist who is set to join a rival channel soon.
Announcing his exit on social media on Sunday, April 3, Nicholas Wambua stated that he was leaving the Mombasa Road-based media house after an eight-year stint.
The seasoned Swahili anchor cum investigative journalist reminisced his time at the station, noting that it played a great role in building his career in the journalism profession.
" It has been the best run of my career, I have achieved the best I can in that short period. I have made many friends and today I say goodbye a happy man. I am a better version of myself.
"Thank you KTN and the Standard Group for the opportunity to serve. Thank you my bosses for always believing in me," he noted.
Wambua joined KTN in February 2014 as a news anchor and rose in the ranks to become programs editor. The bilingual journalist wore several hats including anchor, show host and crimes and investigative journalist.
He specialized in Swahili news reporting, hosting a number of political and human interest shows including Jukwaa la KTN, Jarida and Leo Mashinani on KTN News.
Insiders intimated to Kenyans.co.ke that Wambua will be joining Nation Media Group's NTV. If this is true, then Nick, as he is fondly known by friends, will reunite with former colleagues Ben Kitili, Fridah Mwaka, Lofty Matambo and Brian Obuya.
The move comes amid an ongoing rush by media houses to assemble formidable teams of journalists as the country gears up for August 9 General Election.
Recently, veteran journalist Joe Ageyo moved to NTV to become Editorial Director-Broadcasting. Before joining Citizen TV, Ageyo, was the Managing Editor at KTN News.
While at Mombasa Road, Ageyo worked with Ben Kitili, who headed KTN News' political desk, before being reduced to an anchor and programs editor in a major reorganization. Kitili would cross over to Kimathi Street where he is the deputy Managing Editor at NTV.
It remains to be seen if Ageyo will launch an onslaught on his former employers, and pluck top talent, in what is likely to be a fierce media battle ahead of the polls.
Standard Group has recently witnessed talent hemorrhage with some of its journalists joining the BBC, the latest being Akisa Wandera. The print wing also lost Roselyne Obala, a stellar political journalist, who joined NMG after reportedly falling out with the powers that be at Mombasa Road.
Media houses have also been grappling with shrinking revenues, with some turning to cheap labour force, by letting go, many of their top talents who earn handsomely.
