Media companies are always hunting for top journalists in a bid to bolster their talent pool and edge out their competition.
In the case of most journalists, they launch their careers at little-known or completely unknown media houses before spreading their tentacles to top-tier stations.
In 2016, a crop of young and vibrant journalists came into the limelight on Ebru TV and would soon become household names. Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at these journalists.
Akisa Wandera
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) scored big when they poached one of KTN's top anchors, Akisa Wandera.
Her journey began at the little-known GBS TV, where Akisa, now an international journalist with, London-based giant BBC, starred.
An alumnus of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication- KIMC and USIU-Africa, Akisa Annette Wandera, later moved to Ebru TV in March 2014, before her big break two years later, when she hit the big screen at the Standard Group.
The TV siren amassed six years at the Mombasa road-based station, KTN News, rising through the ranks to become a prime time anchor and a much-sort-after talent in the industry.
Brenda Czeda Radido
Brenda Czeda launched her media career at Ebru TV, where she honed her skills for three years from February 2013 to March 2016. She later joined the national broadcaster KBC for a period of two years.
While at the Harry Thuku-domiciled outlet, Brenda, who enjoys her privacy, was spotted by hawk-eyed talent poachers at Standard Group. She currently graces the big screens at KTN News, where she is a star anchor and reporter.
According to her LinkedIn profile, the St. Paul's University alumnus has skills in broadcasting, storytelling, video, news writing, and documentaries.
John Mwaura
John Mwaura is currently part of the engine holding together KTN News, as a news editor. A journalist par excellence and a rare breed to come across in Kenyan newsrooms.
Mwaura joined KTN News from Ebru before a short stint at TV47, where he served as editorial director, before making a comeback to Mombasa road in 2021. Those who have worked with Mwaura describe him as a perfect definition of a leader.
Victor Wetende
Victor Wetende is currently the Communications Director at the county government of Vihiga. Before joining Ebru, Wetende had a short stint at Royal Media Services (Citizen TV) as a reporter.
He had amassed three and a half years at Ebru TV as a Swahili news presenter. After graduating from Multimedia University, he joined Citizen TV for his internship program.
He was later hired as a reporter due to his mastery of the Swahili language and versatility in his style of presentation.
Zainab Ismail
Ismail is no stranger to the spotlight as she has grown to become one of the top news anchors at Nation Media Group.
She has amassed over four years at the Kimathi street-based station. Unknown to many, she began her craft at Ebru TV as a reporter and assignment news editor in March 2016.
Zainab, who also went through KIMC, later jumped ship to NTV in June 2018. Today, she anchors, reports and hosts AM Live.
Allan Ochanda
Ochanda's journey dates back to Ebru TV where he was famed for his bilingual prowess, reporting and presentation style.
Ochanda attended Lubinu High School in Mumias Kakamega County, before joining Multimedia University where he pursued a course in media studies.
He made his debut in the media industry on Ebru TV as a reporter before rising through the ranks to become a news anchor.
He later joined KTN News as a regional correspondent based in the Nakuru bureau. He was later moved to Meru and he is currently the station's point man in the larger Western region, covering the five counties of Kakamega, Vihiga, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma, and Busia.
Ayub Abdikadir
The sensational journalist is one of the rising stars breaking ranks in the media industry. Prior to joining media, he was a former personal assistant to a politician before debuting on Ebru TV. He later joined K24 as one of their top news anchors.
Abdikadir became the topic of conversation recently during the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) media address where he cornered the commission's CEO, Hussein Marjan on matters regarding the elections tender given to Smartmatic company.
Other notable journalists who worked at Ebru TV include NTV's Nina Shaban, KBC's Gladys Mungai, TV47's Linda Alela, KTN's Purity Museo, and K24's Milliah Kisienya and her colleagues, Jeff Khaemba and Wanjiru Maina.
