In the months leading to the August 2022 General Elections, a good number of journalists dropped their pens and threw their hats into the murky world of politics.
Whereas a select few like Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwour, alias Jalang'o, emerged victorious, several of them endured heavy defeats.
Here are five who retreated to the drawing board and rekindled their love with the microphone.
1. Granton Samboja
Former Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja made a radio comeback, the country's most beloved medium, 11 months after he failed to defend his seat.
The governor recently shared snippets from his show on Anguo FM, a Swahili language broadcaster.
"Hii ni Anguo Fm saa kumi kasoro dakika nane, jina langu ni Granton Samboja Mshapa mwenyewe (This is Anguo FM, at 3.52 pm, my name is Granton Samboja Mshapa)," the former politician signed off on one of the shows on Sunday, July 16.
Samboja is immersed in the profession so much that he embarked on tours across the county. Prior to his political run, Samboja worked at Mediamax as the Chief Operating Officer. He has also worked as a journalist at Royal Media Services (RMS) and Milele FM.
Bonnie Musambi
In February 2022, Musambi left his job after working at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) for 14 years to contest for the Kitui Central Parliamentary seat.
However, he was unsuccessful, losing the seat to Wiper Party’s Benson Makali Mulu.
Following the result, Musambi returned to the media industry. The political aspirant made his way back to Sang’u FM, a radio station he personally owns. He takes pride in hosting the popular show, "Rhumba Malamu," which airs every Sunday from 8:00 PM until midnight.
On Tuesday, March 21, Musambi announced that he had been appointed as the Director of Coordination in the Office of the State House spokesperson.
MC Jessy
Jasper Muthomi, popularly known as MC Jessy, famously ditched his media comedy job to compete for the Imenti South MP seat.
Soon after he joined the race, initially as a member of the Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, things grew murkier quickly forcing him to go it alone as an independent.
He declined an offer from the party to step aside in favour of Mwiti Kathaara. He lost the election.
Following the defeat, MC Jessy joined NRG radio in April 2023 where he hosted a show on Thursday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm alongside DJ Malaika. The run was, however, shortlived.
Mwanaisha Chidzuga
Chidzuga announced her intention to join her mother's footsteps in politics in September 2021 after leaving K24 where she presented the 7pm News bulletin.
“I would like to thank the elders for the responsibility they have bestowed upon me to fill the gap left by my mother in Matuga. I will do my best if God grants us the win in 2022,” she stated at the time.
The journalist, who vied on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, had her political dream cut short after she was defeated by Tandaza Kassim Sawa of the Amani National Congress.
She is now part of TV 47's stellar team and hosts Mchikicho show from 10 am to 1 pm on Radio 47.
Tony Kwalanda
Months to the General Election, Tony Kwalanda quit his role as a Switch TV sports journalist to represent his people of Manda Shivanga at the Kakamega County Assembly.
At Switch TV, Kwalanda hosted a sports show, Sports Centre, that aired before the 9 pm news and featured sports pundits and guests either in the studio or contributing live on Skype.
After losing at the polls, he turned to golf, one of his hobbies. Later, Kwalanda joined Look Up TV where he hosts the Sports 360 show.
