There are hundreds of journalists who became politicians across the world, and Kenya s no exception.
Most Kenyan politicians are from the law profession. Despite this, people from a variety of professions, including businesspeople, professors, doctors, and journalists, have gotten involved in politics in Kenya. Students are included here.
A list of politicians who transitioned from merely being voices on the radio and faces on television to active participants in Kenyan politics has been compiled by Jambo Daily after extensive research and sorting. Take a look.
Kenyan Journalists who became Politicians
1. Mohamed Ali
The current representative for Nyali is Mohammed Ali. He began as a journalist and established himself as one of Kenya’s top investigative reporters while working for KTN and Radio Maisha, both owned by the Standard Group. Later, he resigned in order to run for the Nyali parliamentary seat.
2. Raphael Tuju
Former Secretary-General of the governing Jubilee Party Raphael Tuju. He gave up his job as a journalist in 2002 after winning the Rarieda District seat in the House of Representatives.
He then held the positions of Minister for Information and Communication, Minister for Tourism and Wildlife, and finally Minister for Foreign Affairs until being reassigned.
In the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta, he held the position of Cabinet Secretary without Portfolio.
Read Raphael Tuju Bio, Age, Career, Education, Family, Wife and Net Worth
3. Naisula Lesuuda
Kenyan politician and women’s rights advocate Naisula Lesuuda. She is the current representative for Samburu West.
Prior to her departure, Ms. Lesuuda began her career as a journalist for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). She was subsequently nominated to represent Samburu County in the Senate. She ran for and won the Samburu West parliamentary seat in 2017.
4. Yusuf Hassan Abdi
The current Kamukunji representative to parliament is Yusuf Hassan Abdi. He began his career with the Voice of Kenya, now known as Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, as an announcer and producer (KBC). Afterward, he worked for various media organizations, such as the BBC and Voice of America.
After that, he worked for the UN before entering politics in 2011.
5. Sabina Chege
The former Women’s Representative for Murang’a County is Sabina Chege. Before moving to Kameme FM, she started her career at Coro as an actor and radio host.
She entered politics formally in 2013 and won the Murang’a County Women position, which she has held for two terms.
Read Sabina Chege Biography, Career, Husband, Net Worth, Kids, Age, and Education
6. Granton Samboja
The former Taita Taveta County Governor is Granton Samboja. He began his career shortly after receiving his diploma from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). He joined the Royal Media Services and later pioneered the establishment of Radio Citizen.
However, he quit and started his own radio station, Milele FM, which he ultimately sold to Mediamax Ltd.
7. Gathoni Wamuchomba
The previous Kiambu Women Representative, Peninnah Gathoni Mucomba, was chosen to serve in that capacity in 2017. Her term of office was one.
The lawmaker started out in journalism at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), where she worked as a breakfast show host before moving to Inooro FM. She also owns media outlets and serves as managing director of Utugi TV, a Kikuyu TV station.
