The Kenyan media landscape is laced with talented journalists who have worked hard to curve a career for themselves both locally and internationally. Some of these journalists have become household names and celebrities, rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty in the society.
Because of being in the limelight, their lives are usually put under scrutiny by the public and sometimes, they end up crossing paths with the wrong people.
At the same time, the celebrity status does not in any way insulate them from facing the law This article highlights stories of Kenyan media personalities, the intersecting paths of journalism and crime and their harsh realities of life and death.
Louis Otieno
Louis Otieno was one of the most popular and highly paid journalists in the country. He worked for the top media houses in the country as a news anchor including KBC, KTN, K24 and Citizen TV.
Otieno’s proficiency in journalism and his ability to connect with audiences made elevated his status in the industry and among prominent people in the country including politicians.
However, in 2012, his career took an abrupt turn in after he was roped into a murder case involving Careen Chepchumba.
Careen was a 26-year-old employee of Kenya Power who was found dead in her apartment at Santonia Court in Kilimani, Nairobi.
Otieno denied all accusations against him including ever having a romantic affair with her. However, he admitted that they were friends.
Further, the court found that police had already exonerated Otieno before a forensic analysis of his phones and Careen’s, to establish where he was at the time of her death.
The case not only impacted Otieno personally but also had repercussions on his standing within the media landscape. Shortly after, he lost his hearing ability and lived at the mercy of well- wishers who helped him raise the Ksh4 million for treatment.
In 2020, Otieno announced that he would return to the limelight with a new show dubbed ‘The Second Act.”
Esther Arunga
Esther Adongo Arunga was the darling of the Kenyan media landscape. She graced the screens as the presenter of prime news on KTN and was everything the Kenyan audience celebrated.
Although Arunga was a trained lawyer, she was well accomplished as a broadcast journalist.
She began her journalism career at Capital FM before moving to KTN where she gained celebrity status. However, in 2009, Arunga joined the Finger of God Church founded by Joseph Hellon.
Shortly after, she got engaged to Wilson Malabaa who was a member of the church. However, in 2010, Arunga called off her engagement. In the same year, she resigned her job and got engaged to Quincy Timberlake.
After getting married to Timberlake, they founded Placenta Party (Platinum Centralizer and Unionist Party) of Kenya, which Timberlake later used to vie for presidency.
On the other hand, Arunga announced vying for the parliamentary seat of Karachuonyo Constituency as well as the deputy presidency through the same party.
Timberlake was later arrested on suspicion of running a cult sect (Finger of God Church). After his release, the couple moved to Australia.
Also Read: Kenyans Raise More than Ksh1M for Timberlake Sons
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However, in 2014, their eldest son passed away following an exorcism ritual performed on him by his parents after injuries.
Both were charged with murder, but later Arunga was granted bail after testifying that the child died in his father’s hands.
Jacque Maribe
Jacque Maribe was an actress before he became a journalist, a career she was renowned for. She began her TV journey at K24 in 2009.
She worked at the station for two years before she transitioned to become a political affairs reporter for Kiss TV. Later in 2012, she landed a job at Citizen TV as Political Affairs Reporter for Citizen TV.
In 2014, Maribe and popular comedian Eric Omondi welcomed their first child, Zahari. Her career blossomed at Citizen TV, until 2018 when she was sucked into the murder case of businesswoman Monica Kimani.
Maribe was accused of aiding her ex-fiancé Joseph Irungu alias Jowie in the murder of Monica who was found with her throat slit and her body dumped in the bathtub with the water still running.
However, in the February 9, 2024, Justice Grace Nzioka found Jowie guilty of the murder of Monica Kimani in a series of events while Jacque Maribe was acquitted of the murder charges.
The judge indicated that the prosecution did not adduce adequate evidence to prove that she was guilty of the murder charges.
Also Read: Fresh Woes for Jacque Maribe as DPP Moves to Appeal Her Acquittal
Moses Dola
Moses Dola was a journalist who wrote for Daily Metro, a Nation newspaper edition. Although he was not as popular, he came to the limelight when he married a renowned NTV reporter Sarah Wambui.
In 2011, the whole country learnt about Moses Dola. Although his wife Sarah had lost her job at NTV, she had secured a position as a media consultant with ANAFE (The African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry, and Natural Resources Education).
Dola went missing in May 2011 after the lifeless body of Sarah was discovered in their bedroom in their apartment in Umoja estate.
According to Dola, he had an argument with his wife over loud music. He said that he was playing loud gospel music in the house and Sarah was not happy about it.
What followed was a confrontation where his wife attacked him with a pair of scissors. After, Dola said that Sarah fell and hurt her head. In the confusion, Dola left the house to return later to her lifeless body.
In May 2016, the High Court concluded that the prosecution had successfully demonstrated journalist Dola’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in Sarah’s murder case.
Reflecting on the aftermath of Kabiru’s death in a 2014 interview, Dola referred to it as one of the “darkest moments” in his life. During the period, he announced that he was embracing Islam and was adopting the name Musa Muhammad.
“I am now Musa Muhammad Dola, having converted to Islam during my time in prison,” Dola stated, referring to his brief stay at the Industrial Area remand.
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
