Former screen queens and where they are now
Since independence, Kenya has been blessed with some of the most remarkable on-air talent.
The media industry has been losing some of its most skilled female anchors over the years.
It's sad to see such talented individuals leave the field, and we should recognise and value their contributions to the industry.
Some of those ladies are below:
1. JANET MBUGUA
Janet Mbugua-Ndichu is a well-known media personality from Kenya. She worked as a news anchor at KTN earlier in her career. She has also acted in television shows and movies.
She worked for Citizen TV for several years, before announcing her retirement from the media industry in April 2017.
Janet left the industry because she felt that she was not spending enough time with her then 1-and-a-half-year-old son.
Despite news anchoring being one of her greatest blessings in life, she stated that it was time-consuming and that she was beginning to feel fatigued.
The mother of two is currently the founder of Inua Dada Foundation and JM Media Avenue, Author, Advocate, Global Speaker, Social Issues Commentary & Content Creator.
Janet Mbugua was married to Edward Ndichu. Together they have two sons, Ethan Huru Ndichu and Mali Ndichu.
On May 30, 2022, from an undisclosed source, media personality Janet Mbugua reportedly initiated divorce proceedings with her Eddie.
2. MUTHONI WA MUKIRI
Muthoni Mukiri was renowned for her vernacular eloquence as a Kikuyu news anchor at Inooro TV.
Muthoni Mukiri quit Inooro TV after five years in December 2020.
Mukiri hinted that she might have resigned from her job to focus on her entrepreneurial pursuits.
“I wanted to quit employment but I didn't know where to begin. I had already set up side hustles and investments but the nature of my job made me grow closer to my audience. I feel like they're my children.” she said.
She then transitioned into a role of mentoring and empowering women on their journey of self-discovery and healing.
Muthoni is happily married to Isaac Njoroge and she recently launched a book, Becoming The Woman.
3. BETTY KYaLLO
She started as an intern at Kenya Television Network (KTN) and later became a news anchor, presenting the Friday Briefing at 9 pm.
Later, she joined K24 where she aired the weekend 'Up Close with Betty' program.
She later quit on May 20, 2020, and started her own YouTube channel, Betty Kyallo Lately, where she documents her day-to-day
Betty claimed that she wasn't fired, but felt the media house didn't appreciate her enough during a YouTube interview with Jalang'o,
“I wasn't fired. I've worked so hard to be my brand. I have built my brand with hard work, passion, commitment, and love," she said.
Later on, she opened her own salon and spa business called Flair by Betty in Kilimani.
In mid-2021, she expanded her business ventures by opening Aftershave by Flair Barbershop and Bk Closet.
Betty has a daughter whom she co-parents with her ex-husband, Dennis Okari.
4. JACKIE MARIBE
Jackie used to work at The HOT SEAT as a former Political Affairs Reporter for Citizen TV.
In July 2019, Jacque Maribe resigned from her job at Royal Media Services amidst a court case she was facing.
Maribe was charged alongside then-fiance Joseph Irungu alias Jowie over the alleged murder in September 2018.
The former Citizen TV anchor has been making great strides as an independent content producer since leaving her previous employment.
Jackie and her baby daddy Eric Omondi welcomed their son Zahari in May 2014. Despite their differences, they are working together to raise their child.
5. JANE NGOIRI
Jane Ngoiri began her career at K24 as an English news anchor where she was allowed to anchor news in Kiswahili.
After spending some time at K24, she moved to NTV in 2011, where she anchored the Swahili news.
Ngoiri left her position at NTV in 2021 after working for a long time at the Nation Media Group-owned station.
In her statement, the journalist stated that she resigned due to "personal reasons" and that she would disclose her next career move in due course.
Jane Ngoiri was later appointed as an HIV and AIDs tribunal member for a period of 3 years.
She is married to Mr. Abdillahi Hussein, and they have one son together.