To the viewer, media jobs are often sold as an aspirational lucrative career that in some instances, affords the highest ranking executives and beloved news anchors high levels of fame.
Through the fame, a number of journalists have enjoyed fledgling side businesses and are accorded special treatment when they visit several establishments across the country.
Unbeknownst to many, however, a job in the media industry can be a challenging one and the firing can be abrupt.
Here are four who went under the knife in 2022.
- Mark Masai
At the beginning of December, celebrated news anchor Mark Masai sent shock waves across the industry after being fired from his job of 14 years.
In his farewell message, the newsman hinted at a fallout between some of the outlet’s veterans and the Human Resources Department that led to the departure of several high-ranking journalists.
"NTV is a great team! These are different times. Was a great show. Time for a short commercial break. I'll be back!
“This is the reality of the media landscape around the world and unfortunately, I was at the losing end of this one,” he noted at the time.
His new podcast launched on Thursday, December 15 - barely two weeks after leaving the Kimathi Street-based media giant.
- Dennis Okari
A few days after Masai’s departure, investigative journalist and news anchor Dennis Okari also abruptly signed out during a bulletin on NTV - further fueling fallout reports at Twin Towers.
Okari disclosed that he had parted ways with the station- owned by the Nation Media Group (NMG) - where he had worked for eight years.
"My assignment at NTV has come to an end. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve. I gave it my all, but I couldn't have done it without the help of an incredible team and an amazing audience.
"It is time to move on to something bigger and greater than myself," he stated, explaining that he was transitioning to independent projects. It is still not clear what those projects are.
- Mutuma Mathiu
For more than two decades, media veteran Mutuma Mathiu was synonymous with the Nation Media Group brand. Then on December 6, 2022, he abruptly left his role as NMG Editorial Director.
In an 8654-worded letter to his colleagues, Mathiu intimated that he had parted ways with the company following editorial changes that had been instituted by the listed giant.
"I thought I should also let you know that being your editor has been the singular honour of my life. The passions we have shared, and the causes we have fought jointly have added a great sense of fulfillment to my professional life.
"I love you all. I believe you can’t lead people if you don’t care for them and I admire and respect the work you do, the miracles you conjure daily," read the letter in part.
Mathiu left after 23 years of service and it is still not clear if he landed another project.
- Churchill Otieno
Churchill Otieno, who was the Head of News at Daily Nation until his sacking at the beginning of December, left the Kimathi Street-based media house in what was highly touted as a restructuring move.
In an email, Otieno admitted that he was leaving the media outlet after spending two decades building breaking news platforms.
“It’s time for me to leave the Nation Media Group. It has been a privilege to serve at NMG, and a prodigious honour to be part of the most committed team of journalists and media professionals in Africa,” he stated.
The President of the Editors Guild however remained mum on his next course of action when contacted by Kenyans.co.ke.
