Citizen TV journalist John Wanyama resigned from Royal Media Services to pursue a political career, ending his time as a reporter with the media house.
Wanyama submitted his resignation on July 3, 2026, notifying Royal Media Services of his decision to leave his position as a reporter and venture into politics.
In his resignation letter, Wanyama said he had decided to seek election as the Member of Parliament for Malava Constituency in Kakamega County.
He said the decision followed careful consideration as he sought to begin a new chapter focused on public service.
“My last working day will be 4th August, 2026,” Wanyama stated in the letter.
“I have decided to resign from my position to pursue a new path in public service by vying for the position of Member of Parliament for Malava Constituency.”
According to his certificate of service, Wanyama joined Royal Media Services on September 1, 2015, and was based in Eldoret.
His work placed him at the centre of major news events across Uasin Gishu and the wider North Rift.
His name also appears on the Citizen Digital author archive, where he published stories on politics, crime, education, security, business and other issues affecting residents in the region.
John Wanyama Journey From Reporter and Camera Person to Senior Correspondent
Wanyama’s journalism career involved more than reporting from the field.
He joined Royal Media Services as a reporter and camera person, a role that required him to gather information, interview sources and produce stories while also working with the technical side of news production.
Over the years, he progressed to become a senior correspondent for Uasin Gishu County.
His work included covering county politics and governance as well as events affecting ordinary residents.
Among the stories published under his name were reports on the Uasin Gishu scholarship controversy, protests by Moi University workers and lecturers over delayed salaries, crime, court proceedings and security operations in Eldoret.
He also covered political developments in the region. In one 2017 report, Wanyama covered the effect of political tensions on businesses in Eldoret.
Also Read: Kanze Dena, Journalist Who Rose From Citizen TV to Uhuru Kenyatta’s State House Spokesperson
Reporting From the Field
Wanyama’s career also exposed him to some of the risks associated with reporting from the field.
In March 2020, he and fellow Citizen TV journalist Charles Kerecha were arrested in Eldoret while covering Langas residents during the COVID-19 curfew period.
The incident drew criticism from media and human rights organisations, which raised concerns over the treatment of journalists covering the pandemic.
Months later, Wanyama reported receiving death threats after covering demonstrations over the poor state of roads in Kesses. The threats were reported to police and attracted attention from lawyers in Eldoret.
Reporting on Major Uasin Gishu Stories
Wanyama also became a familiar byline on stories from Eldoret and Uasin Gishu.
In 2023, he reported extensively on the Uasin Gishu education scholarship controversy, including political exchanges between Governor Jonathan Bii and former Governor and then Senator Jackson Mandago.
He covered the proceedings in the murder case involving Eldoret-based fashion designer Edwin Kiptoo, popularly known as Edwin Chiloba, including the testimony of witnesses when the case began at the Eldoret High Court.
His reporting also covered crime and security. In December 2022, he reported on the arrest of suspected members of a car theft syndicate in Eldoret after police recovered weapons, ammunition and other items from a house in Langas.
In another widely followed assignment, Wanyama reported from a supermarket in Eldoret after then Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria challenged figures cited by Citizen TV on the price of cooking oil. The station’s live spot-check showed prices that contradicted some of Kuria’s claims.
These assignments placed Wanyama in the middle of some of the region’s most closely watched political, social and economic stories.
Also Read: Former Citizen TV Journalists Working in Ruto’s Govt
Wanyama Thanks Royal Media Services
In his resignation letter, Wanyama expressed appreciation to Royal Media Services for the experience and opportunities he received during his time at the company.
He thanked his colleagues and management for their support, guidance and camaraderie.
He also singled out the company’s chairman and vice-chair, S.K. Macharia and Mrs S.K. Macharia, as well as Managing Director Wachira Waruru, for what he described as their leadership and mentorship.
“The experience I have gained, the skills I have developed, and the professional relationships I have built will remain invaluable throughout my career,” he said.
Royal Media Services formally accepted Wanyama’s resignation in a letter dated July 14, 2026.
From Newsroom to Malava Politics
Wanyama’s decision marks a shift from reporting on politics to seeking an elected position.
As a journalist, he spent years covering political leaders, county affairs and developments affecting residents in western Kenya.
His move into politics will now put Wanyama on the other side of the political equation, as he seeks to convince voters in Malava Constituency to elect him as their representative in Parliament.
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