Former KTN journalist Joy Doreen Biira, has penned a glowing tribute reminiscing her time working alongside the late Michael Oyier.
Biira a Ugandan journalist fondly recalled her early days at KTN, where Oyier, and Eric Latiff, served as her co-anchors, forming one of the most formidable prime time news pairs she notes she had the privilege to work with.
“When I joined KTN, my first co-anchors were Eric Latiff and Michael Oyier, alternating depending on the News Anchor schedules. These two gentlemen were some of the best prime time news pair I had the honor of working alongside,” she said.
Describing Oyier as possessing an unparalleled work ethic, Biira eulogized him not only as a colleague but as a friend and mentor.
She recounted Oyier’s kindness towards his colleagues describing how he made it a point to greet each team member before going on air.
“Whenever he reported for duty, he’d greet every single colleague we’d be on duty for the bulletin that evening. If it meant finding them in the gallery or cafeteria, he’d look for them there. He made sure to check on everyone before we went to studio. What kindness,” said Biira.
Biira Recounts First Encounter with Oyier
But Oyier’s impact went beyond his professionalism and was also a compassionate mentor who took Biira under his wing during her early days at KTN.
“Coming in young and foreign, the Kenya media scene was new to me at the time, Mike would offer all the tips and advice, patiently guiding me through the nuances of the industry,” Biira recalled.
What set Oyier apart, according to Biira, was his exceptional communication skills and innate ability to address issues with diplomacy and empathy.
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It was only years later that she discovered Oyier’s background as an actual counselor.
“He was meticulous as he was intentional about what he wanted to express. When he was not happy with a colleague, he’d use the most ‘counselor’ of words to say it. I much later got to learn he was an actual counselor. He was a natural,” she said.
Despite Oyier’s eventual departure from KTN, Biira reveals she maintained a close bond with him over the years, often crossing paths at events where they both served as moderators or hosts.
“It wasn’t long before he left KTN. We stayed in touch, albeit, briefly, and then our schedules got the better part of us. I left KTN years later too. So, we’d meet at events we’d both be Moderating/Hosting and we’d chat briefly before the next session(s) or after the event,”
“An excellent senior colleague. A Communication Consultant. A friend. A father. A brother. A coach,” said Biira.
About Joy Doreen Biira
Born on September 5, 1986, to John and Beatrice Baluku, Joy Doreen Biira grew up in the Rwenzururu sub-region of Uganda.
Joy was admitted to Makerere University in September 2005.
Also Read: KTN Journalist Scoops Continental Award
Although her first choice was Journalism and Mass Communication, she was initially enrolled in the Information Technology program.
In 2011, Joy graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Information Technology degree.
She joined Standard Media Group in January 2012 as a news anchor, reporter, and show host with Kenya Television Network (KTN Kenya).
She hosted Business Today, a one-hour show that airs across 12 countries on the Africa continent.
