Waihiga Mwaura & Other News Anchor Departures That Shook Kenyan TV Stations

From left: Former News anchors Sophia Wanuna (KTN News), Waihiga Mwaura (Citizen) and Anne Kiguta (K24 TV).
From left: Former News anchors Sophia Wanuna (KTN News), Waihiga Mwaura (Citizen) and Anne Kiguta (K24 TV).
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Kenyans.co.ke

On Wednesday, May 10, Citizen TV announced programming changes necessitated by the abrupt departure of the famed anchor, Waihiga Mwaura.

Citizen TV introduced two new shows; a Tuesday night version titled Explainer With Yvonne Okwara and Thursday's Tonight with Sam Gituku.

The announcement came a week after Mwaura departed to host the BBC's Focus on Africa.

In other instances, prominent journalists' departures left their former stations grappling to fill the void or managing the furore that ensues thereafter.

State Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed speaks in a press briefing at NCPB Kisii depot ahead of President William Ruto's visit to Kisii and Nyamira counties on Mar5ch 22, 2023.
State Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed speaks in a press briefing at NCPB Kisii depot ahead of President William Ruto's visit to Kisii and Nyamira counties on March 22, 2023.
Photo
PCS

Here are  more instances when journalists' departure from stations shocked viewers:

1. Hussein Mohammed

In 2019, the State House Spokesperson elicited mixed reactions after announcing his last appearance on TV as a news anchor.

For his 10-year stint at the station, the fiery former anchor was renowned for shooting direct questions at his interviewers despite their statuses. 

Politicians and journalists expressed their love for the anchor when he hosted his final show on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.

"You and I have spoken a lot about your departure and you know how much we as a company have valued your contribution. You are a hard worker, committed and above all a man of integrity. I believe as you progress in the future you will do well," Royal Media Services (RMS) Managing Director, Wachira Warururu, stated.

Waihiga Mwaura took over the show after his departure and immediately filled Mohammed's shoes. 

2. Anne Kiguta

Former K24 TV News Anchor Anne Kiguta
Former K24 TV News Anchor Anne Kiguta.
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Anne Kiguta

After taking a break from TV for a while, celebrated anchor Anne Kiguta returned with the Punchline TV show on K24 TV, which quickly rivalled programs that dominated Sunday's prime time slot.

By December 2020, the show showed signs of steady growth but was later caught in the crossfires between the station's management and its fiery host.

After a push and pull, Kiguta walked away due to what she described as irreconcilable editorial differences.

"Owing to fundamental disagreement on editorial processes and the direction the show was being forced to take, I suspended my services as an independent contractor to the show on November 21, 2020. 

"My decision was guided by the Code of Conduct contained in the Media Council of Kenya Act which guides all journalists practicing in the republic of Kenya," read the statement in part at the time.

3. Sophia Wanuna

Deputy Editor, Broadcast at Standard Group, Sophia Wanuna poses for a photo inside KTN News studios, Nairobi on July 4, 2019.
Former Deputy Editor, Broadcast at Standard Group, Sophia Wanuna poses for a photo inside KTN News studios, Nairobi on May 21, 2021.
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Sophia Wanuna

KTN News viewers were in mid-April 2023 surprised after Kenyans.co.ke broke the news that anchor Sophia Wanuna was departing after 11 years.

Wanuna had risen to Deputy Editor, Broadcast, at Standard Group.

Arguably, one of the best political reporters, Sophia, previously hosted Checkpoint - KTN News' political show, on Sundays at 9:00 pm and was a lead reporter on The Big Story - a current affair show that aired 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm. 

A few days later, the anchor was appointed Deputy Director and Head of the Directorate of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). 

4. Mark Masai

v=Veteran journalist Mark Masai during an interview during the Social Newsroom podcast on Thursday, December 15, 2022.
Veteran journalist Mark Masai during an interview during the Social Newsroom podcast on Thursday, December 15, 2022.
SemaBox Africa

Celebrated News anchor Mark Masai's departure from NTV caught the station's viewers by surprise since, at the time, he was considered among the top journalists countrywide. 

Prior to his departure, rumours had swirled that a change of leadership necessitated mass exits at Nation Media Group. 

In a statement, soon after, Masai confirmed that his time at NTV had ended, but played cagey with his controversial exit.

"NTV is a great team! These are different times. It was a great show. Time for a short commercial break. 

"This is the reality of the media landscape around the world and unfortunately, I was at the losing end of this one," he stated.

Masai now co-hosts a podcast titled The Social Newsroom alongside Dennis Okari.

5. Dennis Okari

Dennis Okari during an interview during the Social Newsroom podcast on Thursday, December 15, 2022
Dennis Okari during an interview during the Social Newsroom podcast on Thursday, December 15, 2022.
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Dennis Okari

A few days after Mark Masai departed NTV, his colleague Dennis Okari called it quits with reports claiming that he differed with the management.

"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 announced.

His firing was believed to have stemmed from the media house's attempt to trim its payroll in the face of dwindling profits.

Okari now hosts a podcast titled The Social Newsroom with Mark Masai.