Five months after the 2022 general election, most elected leaders especially in the counties have formed their governments and made relevant appointments.
Browsing through the different appointees in various counties, one thing is clear, there has been an increased number of journalists getting lucrative positions in government.
In this article, we review some of the top journalists who ditched newsrooms for government jobs after the 2022 general election:
Kennedy Murithi
Murithi left Nation Media Group in December 2022 after serving at the company for 10 years in several capacities.
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He left the Kimathi street based media house after landing a role as a political advisor to Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.
In his departure message on December 31, 2022, Murithi appreciated everyone who played a role at making him the great journalist he is today.
“It has been a wonderful 10 years: at Nation, I have grown into the fine journalist I am today. I leave the Twin Towers regrettably. To my colleagues, thank you for being such a great support team,” his statement read in part.
He joined NMG in 2012 and started out as a reporter for QTV before switching to NTV in 2016.
Salim Swaleh
The former NTV Swahili Managing Editor left NMG in October 2022 after landing a role at the Nakuru County Government, under the leadership of Governor Susan Kihika.
Swaleh was appointed ICT, e-Government, and public communication Chief Officer.
The appointment caught many by surprise as they were not aware that Swaleh is a native of Nakuru County having been born and raised in Bondeni area.
Prior to joining NTV, Swaleh had served as a senior Swahili news anchor at Citizen TV.
File image of ex-NTV journalists Salim Swaleh, Jane Ngoiri and Kennedy Murithi. [Photo: Courtesy]
Nicky Gitonga
The former Citizen TV reporter resigned in September 2022 after landing a role at the Kwale County government.
He was appointed Director of Communications and spokesperson for the new administration led by Governor Fatuma Achani.
Speaking to a local publication, Gitonga noted that he applied for the position and was subjected to a vigorous interview process before landing the role.
“Yes, it's true. The work of a director of communications is on a contractual basis for a five-year term. So, with a new county government comes new leadership. I saw the position and applied, through God's grace I made it through,” he was quoted.
Prior to his appointment, Gitonga has served as a Kwale-based news reported for Citizen TV.
Karen Knaust
The renowned journalist parted ways with TV47 in November 2022 after landing a role at the Kilifi County government.
Knaust was appointed Director of communications by Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
Knaust joined TV47 in March 2022 after being shown the door by K24 TV during a mass firing in June, 2020.
While serving at K24, she became the first local journalist to cover a story on the last male northern white rhinoceros at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Nanyuki, Laikipia county.
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