Nairobi, September 29

Media practitioners have for years played a critical role in the country's political ecosystem. On several occasions, they have also participated in elective politics, with some emerging victorious and others losing to their challengers.

Some of the former media personalities now serving in different elective roles include Raphael Tuju, the Secretary of the Jubilee Party. Mr Tuju started his career as a news anchor at Kenya Television Network (KTN). Machakos Governor, Dr Alfred Mutua was also a media personality, starring in a TV show code-named Cobra Squad and that aired on NTV. He was also the producer.

Others include Murang'a Woman Representative Sabina Chege who was a radio presenter at Kameme FM owned by the Mediamax Network and her Kiambu counterpart, Gathoni Wa Mucomba, who was a star presenter on Inooro FM owned by Royal Media Services LTD.

Naisula Lesuuda, the Samburu West Member of Parliament, was also a long serving television presenter with the state broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). Prior to her election in 2017 on a KANU ticket, Ms Lesuuda served as a nominated Senator between 2013 and 2017 under The National Alliance (TNA) party.

Nyali Member of Parliament, Mohammed Ali, who is serving his first term as a legislator and elected as an independent candidate, was an investigative reporter with Kenya Television Network (KTN). During his tenure as a journalist, Mr Ali rubbed feathers with top government officials over his explosive exposes on corruption, murder and other illicit trades.

The late Migori Governor, Ben Oluoch, was a presenter with Ramogi FM before successfully trying his hand in politics in 2017, but would succumb to cancer in 2018.

Former nominated Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Joy Gwendo was also a radio presenter with Radio Ramogi.

The 2022 General Election

The August 9, 2022 elections, the third under the Constitution of Kenya 2010 will attract a multiple of contestants including journalists, some of whom have already expressed interests in elective politics.

At now.co.ke, we have compiled a list of journalists who have shown interests in various seat come 2022.

Trevor Ombinja

Although not active in the media industry, Mr Kendagor is a seasoned political reporter having served as the Senior Political Reporter at Citizen TV and at the state broadcaster, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).

The media guru will be seeking to capture the Kapenguria Parliamentary seat after his first shot in 2017 under the Maendeleo Chap Chap party ticket failed to materialise. He will be facing the incumbent, Samuel Moroto, who is a close friend of his.

Muthaura Njogu

Mr Ongiri is another seasoned political reporter who has vast experience in the print media industry. He first quit his job as a reporter in 2017 to try his hand in politics, contesting for the Kasipul Constituency Parliamentary seat.

He, however, lost to incumbent Charles Ong'ondo Were, who was elected on an ODM ticket. Mr Ongiri will be trying to wrestle the seat from the MP in the 2022 elections. Mr Ongiri worked as a political reporter for the Star and Standard newspapers before joining the Daily Nation. He would later quit the Nation Media Group newspaper in 2017 to wade into the murky waters of elective politics.

Other media personalities said to be eyeing elective seats although not confirmed include Citizen TV's Senior Political Reporter Francis Gachuri, his former colleague Jacque Maribe, and former Standard Media Head of Digital, David Ohito.