As the world marks World Radio Day 2026 on February 13, The Kenya Times highlights the journeys of several Kenyan journalists who began their careers in radio before transitioning to TV screens.
They include Yvonne Okwara, Victoria Rubadiri, Eric Latiff, Sam Gituku, and Janet Mbugua, among others.
Some kicked off their media careers as news presenters, show hosts, producers, or presenters long before transitioning to the glamorous world of TV and celebrity.
- Yvonne Okwara
Yvonne Okwara’s first major break was in radio. She started her career in mass media at KBC, where she hosted children’s shows. Her major leap came when she joined Hot 96 FM, where she presented programs such as the World Music show, and later co‑hosted mid‑morning and breakfast shows. This is where she learned how to keep conversations flowing, manage live broadcasts, and interact naturally with audiences.
She later moved to QFM under the Nation Media Group, where she produced talk shows, including “Maskani,” a political and socio‑economic discussion program.
Producing and scripting these shows strengthened her interviewing skills, something that later became her signature on TV. Before joining Citizen TV, Yvonne worked at the Standard Group’s KTN as a lead reporter, editor, and anchor.
2. Victoria Rubadiri
Celebrated news anchor and media personality Victoria Rubadiri also began her journalism career in radio. She joined Capital FM in April 2011 as a business reporter and news presenter.
She started out as a business reporter and news presenter, learning how to break down complex financial stories in simple language for listeners.
Her love for radio goes even further back. Rubadiri has often said she fell in love with the medium as a child because both her parents worked in radio, and the studio felt like her “second home.” In 2019, she even made a radio comeback on Hot 96, saying that radio was where “the media bug first bit” her.
This early grounding in radio helped her polish her voice, confidence, and storytelling style long before she moved on to NTV, Citizen TV, and later CNN, after winning the 2020 BBC Komla Dumor Award.
Also Read: Kenyans Among Journalists Rendered Jobless as CNBC East Africa Bureau Shuts Down
Other Journalists Who Rose From Radio Studios
3. Sam Gituku
Citizen TV’s Sam Gituku also began his career in 2010 at MU FM 103.9, where he hosted programmes and read the news while at Moi University, before becoming a key anchor at Royal Media Services.
James Smart also began in radio before becoming one of Kenya’s most respected TV journalists. His first major media job was at Capital FM, where he worked as a newsreader and sports journalist. He later moved to NTV and then to KTN, where he became known for political analysis and current‑affairs programming.
5. Eric Latiff
Eric Latiff joined Capital FM in 2003, where he served as a presenter, producer, programmes manager, and editor. His extensive radio experience later led him to television roles at KTN and the team that helped launch K24.
In addition, Sports journalist Ali Athman Mumina began in 1979 as a sports announcer at Voice of Kenya, later contributing to Deutsche Welle’s Kiswahili service and various newspapers.
Kamau wa Kang’ethe began his media journey in 2000 at Royal Media Services. With mentorship and consistency, he grew into one of the most recognized Kikuyu‑language broadcasters on Inooro FM and Inooro TV, where he hosts the popular Ngogoyo show.
Fred Muitiriri also transitioned from radio to television after working with Hero Radio and Radio Maisha. He later secured roles at Inooro TV, Switch TV, and TV47 before joining NTV, where he currently anchors the news.
Also Read: Yvonne Okwara Shares Her Impressive 19-Year Career in Media, Starting from QFM
What World Radio Day Represents
World Radio Day, marked every February 13, celebrates radio as one of the most accessible and reliable communication tools worldwide.
It continues to play a key role in information sharing, education, community dialogue, and emergency communication.
Radio remains an important starting point for many journalists. Without visuals, presenters learn to hold audiences using only their voices, which later helps them transition smoothly into television roles.
Many of today’s top anchors credit radio for teaching them discipline, confidence, and the ability to simplify complex topics for the public.
The radio has helped shape some of the country’s biggest media personalities by giving them their first opportunity to speak to audiences.
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