Citizen TV has been haemorrhaging some of Kenya’s most recognisable television faces over the years, and a viral post shared on X has put the scale of those departures into sharp focus.
X user Kawira, posting under the handle @Kawy_Pam, compiled a list of prominent journalists who have walked away from the Royal Media Services-owned station, writing:
“Citizen TV has, over the past few years, lost great journalists and is set to lose even more: Julie Gichuru, Francis Gachuri, Chemutai Goin, Hussein Mohamed, Janet Mbugua, Willis Raburu, Alex Chamwada, Waihiga Mwaura, and now Yvonne Okwara, with Lulu Hassan, Stephen Letoo and Trevor Ombija almost out.”
The post, shared on October 28, 2026, has since gone viral, clearly striking a nerve among Kenyans who grew up watching many of these journalists anchor the country’s biggest news moments. PAY ATTENTION: TUKO is in WhatsApp Channels now! Subscribe and read news in your favourite messenger.
The names that built Citizen TV
The journalists named in the post represent some of the most decorated careers in Kenyan broadcasting.
Julie Gichuru was among the station’s founding pillars, while Hussein Mohamed became a household name through his fearless political interviews.
Janet Mbugua anchored some of the station’s most-watched bulletins before shifting focus to advocacy work, and Willis Raburu built a loyal following both as a news anchor and entertainment presenter.
Others, including Chemutai Goin, Francis Gachuri, Alex Chamwada and Waihiga Mwaura, each left their own distinct mark at the station before moving on.
Yvonne Okwara, one of the most recent departures, was widely regarded as one of Kenya’s sharpest interviewers.
Could more exits be coming?
The post points to three current faces at Citizen TV who may also be on the verge of leaving: Lulu Hassan, Trevor Ombija and Stephen Letoo.
The reason many Kenyans are speculating about their futures is rooted less in professional unhappiness and more in political ambition.
All three are reported to have their sights set on the 2027 general elections, a path that would require them to step away from their media roles.
Lulu Hassan in particular has long been a beloved presence on Swahili news, making any potential exit a significant moment for the station.
Whether or not all three will ultimately take the political leap remains to be seen, but the conversation the viral post has reignited shows just how deeply Kenyans are invested in the futures of their favourite TV personalities.
