Among the most well-known Swahili news anchors in Kenya is without a doubt Swaleh Mdoe. Mdoe entered the journalism field in 1991 and has worked in print and electronic media. He is currently employed at Citizen TV.
Mdoe joined the media institute after completing his secondary schooling, where he earned a diploma in media and human rights. After that, he continued his media studies studies degree at Malaspina University College in Canada.
I am a seasoned Broadcast-Journalist currently working as a Kiswahili Editor & News Anchor for Citizen TV. I have been a journalist since 1991 with experiences in both print and electronic media gained from my career engagements at the Kenya Times, Standar Newspapers, The Message, Weekly Mail, BBC, Nation TV, KTN. I have contributed news stories, features and reports for the London- based shipping magazine, Ports International (1997-2002), Los Angeles Times (USA), Uhuru, The Express newspapers both of Tanzania and in the local newspapers.” – Swaleh Mdoe
At the Nation Media Group, where he served as NTV’s news anchor from 1999 to 2001, Mdoe got his start in the media landscape in Kenya.
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Additionally, between 1997 and 2002, Mdoe provided news, features, and reports for the Los Angeles Times (USA), Uhuru, and The Express newspapers in Tanzania, as well as the London-based shipping magazine Ports International.
A higher position presented itself at the Standard Media Group, and Mdoe Quit NTV to join KTN, where he served as the news editor for Swahili bulletins.
He anchored for over six years, between 2001 and 2007, before finally shifting to his current employer, Royal Media Services, where he works as a Swahili News Editor and Anchor.
I had been a member of East African Foreign Correspondents Association (1993-1999). Currently I am a Member of the Media Council of Kenya and Kenya Editors Guild. I have earned several awards and accolades notably among them being by Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Journalists of the Year Awards as the News Anchor of the Year (Kiswahili) for the year 2003 and again 2004. Also I have won the favourite TV Male Presenter Award for four consecutive years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 in the youth premier awards, Chaguo La Teeniz Awards(CHAT). Also in 2004 Daystar University, awarded me a recognition award, The Star of Excellence Awards.”
The Citizen TV Nipashe presenter is popularly known for his segment “Tafakari ya Babu,” which keeps viewers entertained and glued to the TV screens.
TV Programs
He doubles up as an author and an enthusiastic Kiswahili poet. Mdoe has penned a number of books, including Fumbo La Hadaa, Nachora Kwa Maneno, Michezo Yetu, Tafakari Ya Babu, Mwanasiasa, and Mpira wa Kilo na Wenzake, among others.
His first English book is known as TV News Anchoring: A Practical Guide to Professional News Casting. He also served as a member of the East African Foreign Correspondents Association between 1993-1999.
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Throughout his career, Mdoe has won multiple awards, including the 2004 Daystar University Star of Excellence Award (SOEA) issued to individuals who excel in leadership and service.
He was in 2003 and 2004 also recognized as the News Anchor of the Year by the Kenya Union of Journalists.
Mdoe also won the favorite TV Male Presenter Award for four consecutive years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 in the youth premier awards, Chaguo La Teeniz Awards(CHAT).
In July 2009, he was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of Culture by Jamhuri Peace Foundation, a program under UN-Habitat.
“In July 2009, I was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of Culture by Jamhuri Peace Foundation, a programme under UN Habitat. Between 2012 – 2016, I was a commissioner for ACALAN ( which loosely translates in French as the African Academy of Langauges) a specialized body of the African Union assigned with the task of developing and promoting the use of African languages as a pragmatic means of fostering African integration,” he noted.
