Veteran Journalist Musambi quits KBC to contest for MP seat

Veteran Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Journalist Bonnie Musambi has resigned from the company to join politics ahead of this year’s general elections. 

The celebrated KBC Radio Taifa presenter who also doubles as a KBC Channel 1 TV news anchor announced his exit from the State-owned media house Tuesday morning after working there for more than a decade.

The Zinga la Asubuhi host exited the station after serving for 14 years to contest for Kitui Central parliamentary seat whose current occupant is Dr. Makali Mulu.

“Change, they say is inevitable! Though time has come for me to spread my wings and fly away, I will dearly miss interacting with you all my #Zinga fans every morning. 14 years of pure greatness. Thank you ever so much my people,” Musambi wrote on his twitter handle.

Radio host

Mr. Musambi joined the broadcaster in 2007 as a radio host. He would present his first news bulletin as an anchor later in November 2009.

According to a media report published by the government-owned parastatal, the renowned media personality will be replaced by Rashid Mwamkondo and Mwajuma Ally.  

The journalist who is also a media owner comes from the vote-rich Mulango Ward while the incumbent hails from Kyangwithya East Ward.

In December last year, Mr Musambi announced his intention to oust Dr. Makali who will be seeking his third consecutive term. “Early next year, I will be exiting KBC which has been my wonderful home for the last 14 years,” he said.

As the scribe plunges into the murky political waters, he however, has an uphill task of dethroning Dr. Makali who has been lauded by a section of the constituents for prudent use of public funds and equitable share of the NG-CDF funded projects across the vast and densely populated constituency.

Local political pundits argue that even though the seat has attracted several other contestants – both novices and seasoned politicians, the contest might narrow down to a two-horse race between Musambi and Dr. Makali.

The MP is expected to ride on his ten-year development track record while on other hand the media guru has crafted a ‘Nzeve nzau’ slogan that loosely translates to ‘Fresh air’ – with an aim of wooing voters to give a chance to a new and fresh leadership.

STORY BY PATRICK MUTUKU, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI