Standard Group PLC has suffered a huge blow after Citizen TV raided the listed company on a talent-poaching mission with at least four journalists attached to KTN News set to join Royal Media Services (RMS).
Speaking exclusively to The Kenya Times, a source close to the station revealed that a new group of journalists comprised of four reporters and two videographers is set to embark on a new career journey.
The Kenya Times (TKT) can authoritatively report that two current KTN reporters, Emmanuel Too – a promising political reporter, and investigative reporter Francis Odee, have been poached by the moneyed RMS.
Former KTN News reporter Willy Lusige who has experience in current affairs’ reporting has also found a new home at Citizen TV after months off air.
Additionally, The Kenya Times has established that Standard Group’s Videographers Hebron Kinyoda and Gabriel Kemei are the latest recruits poached by Citizen TV.
KTN News Journalist Poached
Emmanuel Too has been working as a politics and governance reporter for KTN News since he joined the Mombasa-road based company in August 2019.
His exit from the Standard Group came days after his explosive story on President William Ruto‘s hustler jet to the United States.
Too weaved the piece revealing details about the jet used by the head of state establishing that it was a Boeing Business Jet estimated to have cost a total amount of Ksh200 million for the trip.
Also Read: Waihiga Mwaura Shares Tips with Aspiring Journalists a Year After Citizen TV Exit
A budding and talented journalist, Too holds a degree in Communication and Public Relations.
While at the Mombasa Road-based firm, he also published for the Standard Newspaper and Standard Digital.
Lusige on the other hand is an award-winning journalist who announced his departure back on November 3, 2023, after a six-year journey with the media company.
Taking to his social media platforms, the bilingual reporter thanked colleagues, mentors, and friends who stood with him during his stay at SG.
“Great people, it has been six years at Standard Media Group as a reporter at KTN News. Time really flies so fast. After an incredible journey that began in 2017 as a young reporter, it is time to say goodbye. From reporting to creating memories, it had been an unforgettable ride,” he wrote.
Also Read: Citizen TV’s Linus Kaikai Pens Lovely Message to Victoria Rubadiri After Exit
Francis Odee on his part is an award-winning journalist who has been working as an investigative journalist at KTN News and has also worked at Ebru TV.
Journalists that have left Citizen TV
The new signings are set to beef up Citizen TV‘s news team following recent exits that included celebrated household names.
Notable names that have left the Maalim Juma Road-based media giant in the past one year include Waihiga Mwaura and Victoria Rubadiri.
Waihiga joined the London headquartered BBC while Rubadiri is at CNN following her exit after a nearly six-year stint.
Other big shots that left Citizen TV include Hassan Mugambi and Chemutai Goin.
Mugambi is working at the office of Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
On the other hand, Goin is with the Parliamentary Service Commission – PSC.
Also, other journalists who have left the station include Willis Raburu who joined TV47 before unceremoniously quitting and Francis Gachuri who joined the Ministry of Interior.
Consequently, Dr. SK Macharia cast his net wide at Kimathi Street, hitting a jackpot after he snatched Olive Burrows from NTV’s jaws.
Olive co-hosts Sunday Live with Jeff Koinange following Rubadiri’s exit.
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