At a young age, she took the risk of looking for jobs and even applying to go to South Africa to start a new life as a journalist. But the experience there was horrifying.
In a past interview with Betty Kyallo, Janet admitted she left SA because things were not working out.
THERE WAS AN OPENING FOR A JOB IN SOUTH AFRICA. I APPLIED AND GOT THE JOB AND MOVED TO JOHANNESBURG IN 2009 AND WORKED THERE FOR TWO YEARS.
She came back to the country in 2011 and started looking for news editors at Citizen TV to become an anchor. Janet Mbugua climbed up the ladder all the way to prime time with her partner Hussein Mohamed.
I HAD JUST COME FROM SOUTH AFRICA WHERE I HAD FACED XENOPHOBIA, SEXISM, RACISM AGEISM. IT WAS PRETTY TOUGH. THERE WERE PARTS OF IT THAT WERE GOOD, BUT PARTS OF IT YOU’D REALIZE THIS IS NOT MY HOME. OR YOU TRY TO GET TO A CERTAIN LEVEL BUT BECAUSE OF YOUR RACE OR GENDER ITS VERY CLEAR THAT YOU WILL NO GO ANYWHERE.
This is the same thing that is still going on in the US today and that is why they are protesting against social injustice after the death of many African American citizens including the recent case of George Floyd.
In her life, Janet has managed to be part of the biggest media houses in Kenya from radio to TV and now she just wants to focus on projects that will help the girl child.
That way it is easier for her to spend more time with her family and make a difference in the world.
