Journalists trade newsroom for parliament chambers
Many media personalities have already resigned, setting eyes on political seats in the August polls. Already others are serving in the current government and opposition in various capacities.
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While pollster Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) set the resignation date for public servants at 9th February to enable them contest for political positions, most media personalities waved to their jobs as early as last year to get into politics.
1. Mohamed Ali
The outspoken KTN’s investigative reporter of the program ‘Jicho Pevu’ is set to oust the incumbent and embattled Nyali Constituency of Mombasa County Member of Parliament Hezron Awiti.
Despite being critical of the ruling Jubilee government, Mohamed Ali has not openly spoken about the party he will use to buoy him to the seat.
The former Moi University student's appearance in Raila Odinga’s political rally trails have been enough proof that he is in for the seat through the opposition’s Orange Democratic Party (ODM).
2. Kendagor Obadiah
The lanky former senior political reporter for Citizen TV is also set to join politics in the coming August polls. Obadiah was a causality of the massive sacking that rocked Citizen TV, reaping it off its key reporters, thanks to redundancy.
When asked why he would join politics, Obadiah argued that his joining is as a result of having seen many atrocities brought about by cattle rustling and banditry out of fights between Turkana and Pokot, hunger and low standards of educations.
He is baying to salvage his Kapenguria Constituency, West Pokot County residents of these mysteries.
Obadiah will be facing off with the incumbent KANU’s Samuel Moroto through Jubilee Party. Kapenguria is a known to have a great followership of Mudavadi’s Amani Coalition.
3. David Makali
A former Citizen TV breakfast show pundit has thrown his towel into politics, his eyes set on the senatorial seat of Bungoma County.
Makali, who is now the Secretary General of the newly formed Labour Party of Kenya (LPK), is set to face off with the incumbent Cord co-principal and Ford Kenya party leader Senator Moses Wetangula.
The LPK was formed by the former Secretary General of ODM, Ababu Namwamba, after a misunderstanding on party issues, between him and his boss, Raila Odinga.
4. Enock Wambua
From Standard’s newsroom, Enock Wambua is destined to the senate. Wambua already tendered his resignation letter, in respect to the 9th February deadline set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and is set to land in the senate.
Wambua’s senatorial candidature declaration took place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) December last year. The event was attended by top CORD leadership, elected leaders from greater Ukambani region, media personalities, friends and supporters.
Armed with a checklist of requirements, Wambua has set his eyes on the Kitui County Senatorial seat in the August polls. He will be battling David Musila.
Long list
These four are just a tip of the iceberg. Former well talented media personalities have aced the political industry and are making tremendous steps.
Among others, Dr. Alfred Mutua (former government spokesperson) has maneuvered in the murky political cycles to the Machakos County's top seat.
Naisula Lesuuda, on the other hand, a nominated senator who has been the most vocal of the nominated senators, once served the Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation (KBC) newsroom as a correspondent.
Kilifi MP Mustafa Iddi, and Dennitah Ghati, Migori member of parliament have soldiered through, and as such abandoned media for politics.
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