Despite the big salaries earned by some of Kenya’s prominent journalists and media personalities, several journalists have side hustles they run beyond their newsroom assignments.
Through their practice and big presence in the media, journalists end up creating a brand of themselves which consequently lands them lucrative gigs and side hustles.
Swaleh Mdoe
For instance, Swahili anchor Swaleh Mdoe, known for his “Tafakari ya Babu” tales, has been reaping from his content through content sharing platforms.
Among the platforms he uses to share the tafakari ya babu tales is the Skiza Tune- a system that gives mobile services subscribers an opportunity to entertain callers with sound bites
His various episodes of Tafakari ya babu are available for selection online.
In addition, Swaleh Mdoe is an author having written books including the “TV news Anchoring”, and “Mwanasiasa” and as a moderator for corporate events.
Victoria Rubadiri
Beyond her excellent news anchoring skills, Victoria Rubadiri is a moderator and a communications specialist.
Prior to joining the mainstream media, Rubadiri worked as a communications consultant with her own founded firm, Angela Crockett Enterprises Inc.
At the time, Angela Crockett Enterprises Inc offered a range of services including writing proposals, press releases and official letters for various entities.
Citizen TV Couple Rashid Abdalla & Lulu Hassan
Also, on the list of journalists with side hustles are Rashid Abdalla and Lulu Hassan, the popular media couple that has stood the test of time for over a decade.
The duo has now proven to be relevant as manifested in their influence.
But besides anchoring news together, Rashid and Lulu have in recent years cemented their place as accomplished film producers.
First it was their pioneer Maria – a Kenyan series which told a story of a Ghetto girl who won the heart of a man from a rich family which endeared the two among film lovers in Kenya.
The couple was behind the show’s production and script and later came with the Sultana and Zora shows which aired on Citizen TV.
In addition, Lulu and Rashid have produced Moyo, Aziza, and Huba- which aired on Maisha Magic Bongo.
Also Read: Citizen TV’s Fred Machoka Pens Sweet Message to Wife on Her Birthday
Based on their influence, Lulu also recently landed an ambassadorial role for a fabric softener brand in Kenya.
Yvonne Okwara
Citizen TV’s news anchor famous for her role in popular show News Gang and the Explainer, among others, is a jack of several trades.
Known for her boldness and free-flowing mastery of English language, Yvonne is also a proven event moderator and has on several occasions helped to moderate major events.
Also Read: Citizen TVs Lulu Hassan and Rashid Launch Another Show
One of the recent events she took part in as a moderator is the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi in 2022, where she hosted President William Ruto, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary General Rebecca Grynspan in a panel discussion.
