With a wave of uncertainty sweeping across Kenya’s media industry, many journalists are finding themselves jobless. The restructuring at the Nation Media Group (NMG) saw seasoned journalists exit, including Brian Obuya. And now the former NTV Special Projects and Investigations reporter has returned to active journalism about two months after he was fired from the media house.
In a statement on September 25, Obuya explained that he left the Nation Media Group (NMG) towards the end of June due to a downsizing plan rolled out by the company.
Unlike many of his colleagues who usually quit journalism after such experiences, the hawk-eyed journalist is going nowhere anytime soon.
He took a two-month break and announced that he would soon reappear on television (TV) or radio stations.
“Unlike many of my colleagues across media, who are not looking to return to active journalism, you will see me on a TV or radio near you soon because I believe my mission there is not complete. After taking a break in July and August, this September, I challenged myself to something new,” Obuya said.
Greenbell Media
Obuya known for his flawless scripting and boldness, has launched a YouTube channel, Greenbell Media, to tell the stories of journalists who have hit the airwaves in Kenya but whose life histories have not been aired or written.
The channel will focus on how these journalists rose through the ranks from humble beginnings in the media industry.
“I thought of the many journalists who have told stories that changed the course of history, those who have ruled our airwaves and caused an admiration of sorts among us – yet no one has told their story,” he said.
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“So, I launched a YouTube channel – Greenbell Media – and sought to sit down with these colleagues, listening to their stories, humble beginnings, and breakthroughs under the playlist ‘Inside the Newsroom.”
Obuya announced that a 12-episode season he has been working on with the support of BetKumi Kenya will premiere on September 26, 2024.
The first episode features former NTV senior political reporter Kennedy Murithi Bundi, who was his colleague at NMG.
“In this first episode, I speak with my friend and former colleague Kennedy Murithi Bundi, who speaks for the first time about Kalonzo Musyoka’s ‘Your name betrays you’ slur and Moses Kuria’s comments against him – all happening on live TV and how that affected his life and career – plus a lot more,” he said.
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Experience Before NTV
Obuya served as the Special Projects and Investigations reporter at NTV from October 2021 to June 2024.
He previously worked as a Crime and Investigations reporter at Standard Group Ltd from February 2016 to November 2021. He first served as a Crime and Investigations reporter at Kenya Television Service from 2014 to February 2017.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication from Moi University.
Kenyan Media
Nation Media Group, Standard Group and Radio Africa Group are some of the leading companies in the country that have undergone restructuring.
With falling revenues and digital disruption, mainstream media houses are struggling to remain afloat.
These restructuring exercises have pushed out hundreds of journalists, with many turning to YouTube, consultancy and government jobs to make ends meet.
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