By Alloys Musyoka

A long-time serving Media-Max limited reporter Munira Shaban Mandano has called it a day in the newsroom after landing a plum position in President William Ruto's government. The journalist left the media in early January 2024 to work in the office of deputy government spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga in the capacity of personal assistant. In a message sent to her colleagues as she bid goodbye, Munira said “Hi ladies and gentlemen, hoping you are all well Alhamdhullilah continuing to settle down in my new office with my new team. I hope you are all well. I wish to take this opportunity to say thank you for the period that I have worked with you all as Kwale journalists. Everything that has a start must definately have an end. It is now my time to say goodbye and open a new chapter elsewhere. For the 12 years I have been in the newsrooms I got both positive and negative experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. I say Thank you very much and I am looking forward to still working with you closely from where I will be. Let's continue keeping in touch. InshaAllah 🙏🏾" she wrote. She is one among many veteran journalists who have participated in transforming the political and social development agenda in Kwale since 2013 when she was transferred from Mombasa through her reporting skills. Munira has been writing for The People Daily newspaper for over 10 years with interests in sports, tourism, human interests, environment, and crime stories among others in Mombasa and Kwale counties. The Technical University of Mombasa alumni brings a lot of knowledge to the office of deputy government spokesperson having done her advanced level form five and six in Botswana. She joins the list of journalists who have ditched media houses to join the national government. Kwale journalists wished her all the best in her new assignment. Radio Kaya reporter Rasi Mangale wrote, "All the best in your new chapter" Msenangu FM reporter Brivian Simiyu said. "Congratulations, it has been nice working with you, wishing you all the best in your endeavors". K24 TV reporter Alloys Musyoka wrote, "Congratulations and all the best in your new assignments".Nation media writer Cece Siago said, "Congratulations Munira, keep soaring". Citizen TV reporter Lawrence Ng'ang'a said. ”Congratulations and God's favor be upon you in your new assignment".
The star reporter Shaban Omar said, "Congratulations and all the best in your endeavors. Hopefully, down the road we shall meet again".
Following the 2022 General Election, several prominent journalists quit newsrooms and joined the national government after securing lucrative jobs. These media practitioners who had built successful careers in the Kenyan media industry and were household names include Citizen TV’s Francis Gachuri who joined the Ministry of Interior and National Government Coordination as the Spokesperson and Head of Communication. Mwanaisha Chidzuga previously worked for TV47 before she was appointed the deputy government spokesperson in President William Ruto's government after unsuccessfully running for the Matuga parliamentary seat race in 2022. KTN’ Sophia Wanuna was appointed as the Deputy Director and Head of the Directorate of Public Affairs and Corporate Communication at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Royal Media Services’ Sam Ogina joined the Parliamentary Service Commission and is attached to the office of National Assembly Majority Leader. Nation Media Group Salim Swaleh was appointed as the Director of Communications in the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary. NTV’s Emmanuel Juma was on 16 August appointed by CS Alfred Mutua as the head of communications at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.