Citizen TV is known to grandiosely surprise its news anchors during their special moments, for decades since its rise to being the country's top media house in the daytime and primetime programming.
The surprises range from cakes for their birthdays, to gifts for marriage and weddings, symbolic of good luck during their departure.
Some of the anchors, however, left the station on a whim without much fanfare and neither did they offer any closure to their followers.
Here is a list of five news anchors whose shine on Citizen TV's screen dimmed abruptly.
1. Zindzi Kibiku
In 2019, the rise of former TV star Zindzi Kibiku was imminent following her entry into the media circles in 2015 at KTN.
For the following four years, Kibiku rose to become one of the most sought-after show hosts, landing her a role on the station's morning show alongside Michael Gitonga.
Soon after, her star attracted the attention of Citizen TV executives and she was poached for the station's morning show.
Months later, however, she vanished from the screen and was not seen again.
2. Kirigo Ng'arua
In 2016, Kirigo Ng'arua was one of the stars of the Kilimani-based station and was known for hosting the lunchtime news before she left abruptly. Ng'arua was fired minutes before her lunchtime news bulletin.
She disclosed that the station was planning to lay off some staff members and her name was second when she took a glance at the list.
"I was in the office, I was actually preparing for the 1 pm news. It was around 12.30pm, and I was literally the second person on the list to be called in.
"There was talk of it going to happen, and so a part of me expected it. There was definitely some shock that it actually did happen, but I just accepted it," Kirigo narrated in a later interview.
3. Terryanne Chebet
Former Citizen TV anchor Terryanne Chebet, at the height of her fame, was one of the top-ranking business journalists in the country.
Her story into the field was also a dramatic one since her entry into journalism was accidental.
Chebet started out at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and had set her sights on becoming a producer but headed to CNBC Africa just before deciding to quit the media industry.
It was not smooth sailing for Terryanne as she struggled with business news and recounted how she interviewed former Central Bank of Kenya governor, Njuguna Ndung'u, after which her boss questioned her business knowledge.
Later, she landed a slot at Citizen TV anchoring the Wednesday Prime Time alongside Michael Njenga before she was sacked.
“The dip that I had when I lost my job could have been a moment of despair. You know like so what next? I was in my prime.
I had done a good job, it happened and it had to happen," she stated.
4. Salim Swaleh
Salim Swaleh, who continues to enjoy an illustrious career at NTV, was once a hotshot a Citizen TV but was forced to quit under controversial circumstances.
Reports, at the time, indicated that his exit was likely triggered by an incident where he allegedly spied for former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
That was after the anchor found himself in the war pitching Sonko against outgoing Interior Permanent Secretary (PS) Karanja Kibicho.
In the aftermath, Swaleh ended up submitting his resignation letter and departed without much fanfare. He, however, revived his career at NTV.
5. Joey Muthengi
For years, Joey Muthengi was a TV mainstay, anchoring the morning show at Citizen TV before she called it quits in a huff.
During her tenure, she hosted the Day Break show alongside other industry heavyweights such as Waihiga Mwaura, Fred Indimuli and Willis Raburu.
In November 2018, her reign, however, ended in a huff in what was widely speculated as her decision to promote a betting company that rivalled one owned by Royal Media Services (RMS).
She reportedly handed in a one-week notice before quietly leaving the glamour.
