Renowned political reporter Chemutai Goin is set to leave Citizen TV after a long stint at the Royal Media Services-owned station.
Speaking exclusively to The Kenya Times, a source close to the station said Goin is poised to embark on a senior role at the Senate in the coming days.
At the same time, veteran investigative and political reporter, Hassan Mugambi, is also on his way out for a fresh start.
Hassan, the source noted, will be unveiled as the Personal Secretary for Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
According to him, Mugambi is already working with the Defense CS and was accompanying him on his current trip to the United States.
A check on his X account (formerly Twitter) also confirmed that Hassan has been reposting Duale’s activities including meetings and engagements during the US trip.
“She’s going to the Senate, some senior position huko…Mugambi is going to be Duale’s personal secretary -he’s currently in the US with him,” the source intimated to The Kenya Times.
In the past five days, Mugambi has shared photos showing his activities in the US albeit without disclosing the nature of assignment he is on.
How Chemutai Goin Rose to Fame at Citizen TV
Chemutai Goin has over the years of her practice grown to be a household name and an experienced News Reporter.
The University of Sussex graduate is known for her free-flowing reporting with her stories mainly focusing on Politics and Governance, and current Affairs in both English and Swahili.
She has demonstrated her prowess in areas including live reporting, writing and even moderating events among others.
Her journey in Kenya’s media started at KTN where she did her internship and also had a stint at K24 before joining Citizen TV.
Part of her achievements in her stint at Citizen TV include her extensive coverage of the 2022 and 2017 elections in which she emerged as one of the standout journalists.
Shortly after the Supreme Court upheld the results of the 2022 elections, President William Ruto mentioned her name and that of her colleague Stephen Letoo, a testament to the central role they played in covering the elections.
Also Read: Journalists Who Quit Kenyan Media for Greener Pastures
Kenyans could not help but marvel at the cordial working chemistry Goin had established with Letoo as was manifested in their joint assignments.
On his part, Hassan Mugambi- a University of Nairobi graduate- has been known for his investigative pieces mostly on crime related events.
He previously worked at the Media Max Network Limited as a news anchor on K24 before joining Citizen TV in 2016.
Veteran Videographer Leaves Citizen TV
Besides Goin and Mugambi, Paul Chirchir- a cameraman with a long-standing experience has announced his departure from the media house.
In a statement on his LinkedIn, Chirchir said he was changing his career after 14 years, describing it as a “significant decision”.
Reports state that the cameraman recently won a green card and is set to relocate to the United States.
“Changing careers after 14 years is a significant decision. It’s important to assess your skills, interests, and goals to determine the best path forward,” Chirchir announced.
Goin and Mugambi add to the long list of renowned journalists who quit their roles in the newsroom for government-related jobs.
Also Read: Dennis Onsarigo Quits County Job, Lifts Lid on Office Politics
In 2023, veteran reporter and former Editor Francis Gachuri quit his Citizen TV job to join the Ministry of Interior as the Director of Communication.
His move came as a shocker to many considering the central role he was playing at the station.
Former KTN news anchor Sophia Wanuna also quit the newsroom in 2023 and landed a position as the Deputy Director and Head of the Directorate of Public Affairs and Corporate Communication in the Judiciary.
In addition, other big names in the Kenyan media landscape including Sam Ogina (Citizen TV), Kennedy Muriithi (NTV), and Murimi Mwangi (KTN News) have all joined government related jobs amid the uncertainties facing media businesses.
Ogina, on his part, works in the Office of Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah, while Murimi Mwangi, a former Political Reporter at KTN News works at the National Assembly’s media unit.
