News Business in Kenya Today

This is story of diamonds and stones; and the apparent confusion that makes it almost impossible to differentiate which is which.

In the age where almost everyone is in business of conspiracy to defraud the public , self seeking  media houses and its employees  are too deep into self aggrandizement, nepotism, plain  favoritism -which have taken place of real mettle and talent.

Bogus professionals masquerade as know -it- all journalists shrouding their incompetence in cloud of noise and drama. Look at clowns like K24’s Teddy Kwalanda and Citizens TV's Jeff Koinange,surely who hires such people?

For K24 we can understand their history of dalliance with mediocrity, but for Citizen TV, an outlet known for its keen eye for spotting and shopping for exec quite talents,real gems, it defies logic that they have to spend a large sum of money retaining a voice box devoid of substance but a fool on high drama.

When we pin point at real gems, we are talking about people like Hussein Mohammed- firm, sober, resolute debate host and moderator as well as top news reader with deep insight for truth and excellent delivery. No show boating, no fake accents, no disruptive dramas to cover for inadequacies.

Media house administrators are apparently also lost in the smoke and noise of these mediocre busy bodies that they easily ignore the touch of silent gems like the discarded Salim Swaleh –for the Swahili audience and James Smart for the English ones.

Let’s for a bit look at the finest talents that walk corridors of these media houses and not waste much breathe about the noisy fillers.

Let’s look at how they rate and rank:

English Segment

1.Hussein Mohammed(the original, formerly of Citizen TV)

Worthy his audience time, but not sure it reflects on his paycheck .Be it prime time news, debates or event coverage, Hussein portrays an aura of control, knowledge and is not easily distracted from his line of thoughts by clever show guests.

Presidential debate moderations has been the reserve of certain undeserved fellas but all I have been saying all along is –give this thing to Hussein Mohammed.

Yes, Producers formulate debate questionnaires for debate at the background, but Hussein delivers them in a distinctive style- incise, stingy yet respectful that has been the bane of many corrupt politicians and evasive bureaucrats alike.

2.Trevor Ombija

Give it to the guy. May be not everybody’s cup of tea but this deep baritone was the only man standing at NTV Kenya, before mismanagement and political patronage laid siege on East Africa’s largest media firm.

Witty in commentary and sublime debate moderator, this guy comes around as a professional and on his way to be the master of the game.

NMG administrators may have favoured other coconut heads but this one should have had bigger boots.

When BBC came calling after the events of 2017 elections, they picked the wrong baritone and left this one behind. But that does not undercut the fact that Trevor Ombija is destined for great thing ahead.

3.James Smart

He might have found media business a reserve for dafts or his no-nonsense demeanor did not auger well with the guys with the money. So he quit KTN in a hurry but has since not surfaced anywhere. Spotted somewhere in corporate communication offensive, this is a man any media house should be chasing for.

In his time as debate moderator,the calm and collected presenter did not only bring knowledge into the surface but handled debates with the touch of a real pro. The only match to his outstanding style would be now defunct Lois Otieno.

4. Ann Kiguta

It is common knowledge most female presenters in Kenya are on this trade because they are deemed hot or they are not so selfish with the cookie.

But this one looks different,hot,yes she is by any standards. But she also has most of the colourful elements that good presenters should have-grasp of subject matter, good delivery ,proper demeanor and show control .

Although she might appear blunt on some fronts, she is quick to pick up trail and recover control.

The rest of the presenters not covered here are either barely hanging in there just good for nothing.

The good news is however that most Kenyans are not aware of their mediocrity and will applaud them for their beauty accent and drama. So all is fair in this love and war.

Swahili Segment

1.Rashid Abdalla

For his good eyesight in choice of a wife and his right sense in choice of Swahili words and phrases-proper diction. He stands out ways above the bunch of Swahili copy and paste oracles.

Nobody dead or living has delivered Swahili bulletin like this guy.

His style is original and distinctively his own.

A poet ,entertainer ,anchor , a master.

Listen to his word plays,look at the ease at which he deliver Swahili into our living rooms. He is simply pure diamond since his elevation into the TV news desk,no match has been found. No NTV cannot afford such talent,that is why he needed to cross over. And sure as hell,he is not done yet rising.

2. Nimrod Taabu

Cool and authoritative. Exellent engagement with on field reporters. Good vibe emanates around him

3.Salim Swaleh

An underrated yet one of the finest Swahili anchor walking today.

Other notable females are Mwanaisha Hamadi  and Jamila Mohammed.

Reporting Business

Since out growing of conventional reporting job by Alex Chamwada and John-Allan Namu,the only  person still doing the reporting as it should be done is Mercy Kandie Tanui.

Upholds basic rudiments of proper journalism –deep research, counterchecking of facts, highlighting both sides of the story.

But reporting to a common man is all about a fancied elongated dragging of a reporters name at the end of the ‘reporting' ,ala Hasaan Jumaaaaaa and such nonsense!