Lilian Muli is one of Kenya’s most accomplished broadcast journalists, with more than 15 years of experience in television journalism.
As of 2026, Lilian is a senior news anchor at Citizen TV, a media personality, entrepreneur, and strategic communications professional.
Over the course of her career, Muli has become a household name, anchoring some of Kenya’s biggest news bulletins while also hosting popular lifestyle and interview programs.
Speaking during an interview on She Means Business, Muli explained that her passion for journalism was never about simply reading news.
Instead, she viewed the profession as a powerful tool for storytelling, challenging narratives, and amplifying voices that are often overlooked.
“Journalism was not about reading the news. It was about storytelling and shaping opinion, challenging norms and narratives,” Muli explained.
Early Life and Family
Lilian Muli was born on May 4, 1982, in Nairobi and is the second-born child and the only daughter in a family of three children.
Her father, the late Henry Muli, was a prominent lawyer, while her mother, Peninah Muli Mwende, has lived and worked abroad for several years.
In her personal life, she was married to businessperson Moses Njuguna Kanene.
Muli and Moses tied the knot in a ceremony held at Windsor Golf Club in 2009 before separating, with the divorce finalized in 2016, after which Muli reverted to using her maiden name.
The veteran journalist is a mother of two sons; her firstborn son, Joshua Kanene, was born in 2010 during her marriage to Kanene, and the second son, Liam Francis, was born in July 2018.
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Educational Background
Muli began her education at Lavington Primary School before joining Loreto Convent Msongari High School for her secondary education.
After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Daystar University, where she pursued a degree in Communication and Journalism.
Later, Muli obtained a Master’s degree in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi.
Lilian Muli’s Media Career and Achievements
Muli’s journey in broadcasting began in 2005 when she joined Kenya Television Network (KTN) as a production intern.
In several interviews, she has recalled that her first attempt to break into television came years earlier when she attended a screen test at the age of 19 but did not make the final selection.
After multiple screen tests, she successfully transitioned from the production department to an on-air role as a presenter and reporter.
Among the assignments that shaped her journalism career was the coverage of a deadly illicit alcohol tragedy in Chumvi near Machakos.
While at KTN, she worked on news, current affairs, and feature stories before becoming one of the station’s notable anchors.
A major turning point in her career came in December 2010 when she joined Citizen TV.
Muli has described the move as transformative, saying it helped her discover her voice as a journalist and allowed her to focus on storytelling that resonated directly with ordinary Kenyans.
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At Citizen TV, she became a familiar face on flagship news bulletins and hosted several popular programs, including One on One, Fashion Watch, and Slim Possible.
According to Muli, Slim Possible evolved beyond a show about weight loss and wellness to become a platform where women could openly discuss personal challenges, grief, relationships, health issues, and other life experiences.
Among the individuals she credits most is former KTN editorial leader Faridah Karoney, whom she says saw potential in her and gave her an opportunity when she was still a young journalist.
She has also praised colleagues, editors, producers, and newsroom leaders at Royal Media Services for helping shape her growth as an anchor and storyteller.
Away from television, Muli has built interests in business and investment.
She has spoken publicly about her passion for farming, particularly commercial agriculture in Machakos County, where her family owns agricultural ventures.
Further, Lilian Muli has also ventured into beauty, wellness, strategic communications, and property investments.
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