Kenyans on Twitter have poured praises on Citizen TV political journalist Ayub Abdikadir after the media engagement with President William Ruto.
A section of Kenyans have equated him to ex-Citizen TV prime time news anchor Hussein Mohamed.
I wish Kenya had more of this probing journalists like Ayub Abdikadir – complete with the courage and confidence of professionally telling President William Ruto – "Hang on/wait Mr President (please answer my question)" … which inversely raises the question as to what extent… pic.twitter.com/kYkGJ0i3DM
— Stephen Mutoro (@smutoro) May 14, 2023
We have sampled some of the comments for the netizens below:
@magwaz3: Let’s clap for Citizen Tv’s Ayub Abdikadir, the man has made President William Ruto appear like a five year old illiterate kid
@smutoro: I wish Kenya had more of this probing journalists like Ayub Abdikadir – complete with the courage and confidence of professionally telling President William Ruto – “Hang on/wait Mr President (please answer my question)” … which inversely raises the question as to what extent…
@254_icon: Appreciation tweet for Ayub Abdikadir for asking relevant and straight to the point questions to President William Ruto.
@simba_guleid: The man of the moment. @AyubAbdikadir MaashAllah, may Allah give you the strength to become another @HusseinMohamedg. You will be a very important person in Kenya and internationally very soon inshaAllah.
@Keerulanah: Heads of State for some reason love Journalists who ask Tough Questions.Kanze became Spokeperson after asking Uhuru tough questions,Hussein Mohammed quite often asked William Ruto tough questions. So Ayub Abdikadir might actually serve the 6th /7th.😊
The rise of Ayub Abdikadir
Abdikadir was poached from Mediamax by SK Macharia owned media house as a political journalist days after being showered with lots of praises by Kenyans on how he handled the debate involving the then IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and his CEO, Hussein Marjan, over the vetting and awarding of a mega tender to Smartmatic elections company.
“I know talent when I see one. I know professionalism when I spot it. I appreciate depth & research in journalism. Here is another great one of our nation working towards the top. He will get there. Kudos,” Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Industrialization, David Osiany told Abdikadir after the debate.
“So proud of my brother Ayub Abdikadir as he moves to a bigger stage Citizen TV. This is a testimony that hard work has never killed anybody. Go and shine my brother,” Sadam Hussein, an advocate of the High Court tweeted while celebrating Abdikadir’s new job.
Ayub Abdikadir career
Ayub attended Wajir Primary School before joining Wajir High School where he nurtured his communications skills and sense of curiosity, simply referred to as ‘nose for news’.
As far as journalism is concerned, Ayub’s desire to work in a media company began in the early stages of his life and only grew bigger and brighter when he left Wajir for Nairobi to pursue the same goal.
“A passion endured from the onset when I was in Primary School. I come from a family where my 85-year-old grandfather has been tuning in to listen to BBC World Service,” Abdikadir recalled.
At Mount Kenya University where he pursued his Bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism, Ayub always took a front-row seat to learn and sharpen his journalistic skills.
“I was a self-sponsored student and that meant that my goals were different since I had to face financial struggles to pay fees.
“I had a side hustle which ensured that I got money to take care of my financial needs, especially during the holidays. One person who is now a Cabinet Secretary (name withheld) was very instrumental in helping me accomplish my studies,” Ayuba explained.
Ayub began his career at Ebru TV as a primetime news anchor.
He later went on to join Mediamax Limited owned K24 where he hosted the Morning Review political show.
“I look back at that journey and appreciate every little thing that I did as part of my passion for journalism. I’m very proud of the journey despite our divert options in life,” Ayub noted.
