My Journey through Journalism

Pic from Google

Journalism,Journalism,Journalism.I do not think I will ever have enough of it.My journey through this field has not been long I just graduated the other day but I am hoping to have many experiences through it smoothly.

I would say this call came to me way back in primary school where I realized I have a special liking for the art subjects whereas my cohorts loved other very different subjects.(Math).In particularly I loved languages(English).I was brought up in the village (Ngemwa) something special for me to be communicating very eloquently.

I read story books one after another and when i was of age (Class four),l was taken to boarding school(Kikuyu,Nairobi).The school had good library facilities therefore I took the advantage and read and borrowed books at the same time.Somewhere along the way something tragic happened in my life and i had to transfer schools.There was no library.Nwe I survived and for my KCPE exams I performed really well in the languages.

High School.I joined Journalism club.Wow!!! The experience was phenomenal,I was now where I wanted to be,of course in form one (mono) there was no much exposure as the privilege was with form fours who did all the trips to cover stories.My turn came and I went to the field to collect news articles.An amazing experience.This is when I discovered that Journalism is the line I want to pursue.It was fun going out to source for news(sports news) and the best part of it,reporting them out to the whole school(during assembly).I got the courage and oomph to purse my dream.

That stage molded me.The next perfected my vision.University (Among the many along Thika Rd,Nairobi).At this stage I had started admiring the svelte ladies on Tv anchoring news.I wanted to be like them (I wish i knew) I studied Journalism Majoring in Broadcast media and taking a minor in Public Relations (I love the sound of the name).

The sailing was smooth no setbacks whatsoever.Thanks to my lecturers for their continued support.Guys i owe you one or three.Thanks to Sir Joe Kadhi,Isaiah Cherutich,James Oranga,James Mutua ,Ruth Mwikahi and finally to one woman I really admired Robi Koki Ochieng.She made PR look so easy and fun. From then on i felt that I what I really wanted to pursue communications.Thanks to the Almighty God I graduated.First experience,Video Editor at Royal Media Services (Citizen Tv).Simply nice.My boss the best ever. Kudos Shelo!!! Four months I was out searching (You know what)

God was listening to me another organization (thats for a later date) came to my rescue(I got a position).The journey is still at that place hoping that one day I will have the chance to talk more about this travel as for now it is a big thanks to my Line Manager, Lucy for her patience and support.

 

 

Investigative Journalism…….

Investigative Journalism (IJ) is a form of Journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest often involving crime,political corruption and misconduct in the corporate world.In simple words I think that IJ is information that is very well researched to create transparency.

As said,Journalism is the watchdog of society,true,I wonder what would happen if we did not have journalism-I think-total blackout with people not knowing what is happening around them.Just think about a place where you do not have information streaming in.Boring environment.Thank to investigative journalists we get to know of things that could never be discovered by anybody.

Thinking about the life of investigative journalists,these people must work very hard to find relevant data to aid in their work.It is tough.They even go to extremes of living within a given community if that is where the material for their work comes from.At times these are places of different cultural practices they might also have to go against their religious norms to ensure that they achieve all they need.

Investigative Journalism should always arouse public interest for it to be newsworthy and therefore this should be data that is very well investigated meaning that the journalists should always stick to facts.In short, a journalist should always write or report something that they can always prove,if you cannot prove it then it’s not worth putting pen on paper about.

This journalism is very helpful to people,organizations and countries who implement it,transparency becomes evident.With transparency in any place people will always work in the right manner meaning that decisions that are made and their enforcement is done in a way that follows rules and regulations.It also helps in improved accountability since the government or any other institution will audit their work to ensure that there is no doubt on the work they do.Every institution should be accountable to its publics and stakeholders.Media is a major force in improving the quality of any platform be it in government  or the corporate world therefore IJ would be a better channel to enhance good governance where governance means how services are delivered.

Am happy that Kenya is taking up IJ very seriously,but I think the problem we have in this country is we lack relevant resources .I think Kenya lacks the right equipment to carry out this kind of investigation and there is also lack of investigative skills among journalists.It is my thinking that Higher Learning Institutions that teach media encourage their students to specialize in IJ and Kenya will definitely go places,especially by kicking out corruption.Finally the other reason would be lack of good protection for the journalists,it is very risky to carry out this kind of work,people get threats and others die.They need good security if good results of their work is expected.

What I am saying in these few words is that IJ should really be encouraged and especially for women.There is nothing to fear in IJ.It is my dream that one day 90% of Investigative Journalists will be women.

 

Be careful…….This is a special time…….

I do not remember the last time I read the newspaper and  dint come across a story to do with road carnage.It is so sad how people are losing their lives on the road just like that.This calls for people to be extremely cautious during these festive season.

Wacheni mbio barabarani!!!

It is sad when somebody loses their life due to careless driving,in the sense that one is rushing on the road,others are driving while drunk,others chasing each other on the road.The most unfortunate thing here is that during this season people travel as families and therefore if anything was to happen (something bad it would happen to all the family members who are there,so I hope this will make people think before they act,reduce drinking and if not reducing do not even drink at all.

If you have to drink do not down the bottles like there is no tomorrow, keep some for the next day.Another option would be to get a designated driver (who is not drunk like you).Do not also rush on the road.Slow speed.during this season.

Take care people,during this festive season!!!!

 

The kid who is and was in love…..

I just met my nephew the other day,I can not believe how fast he has grown,he was a kid the other day and now he is a grown up man times really move fast.I grew up with him of in the same surroundings  and I can a test to the fact that I know the kind of person he is. He is-and was sweet,nice,handsome,playful and the list is endless but one thing he loves-and loved  women.Am talking of those days so he must have been in class three or 9 years,then.

One day we were just in the house  and I came across a dairy and guess what it was his,Do I read or not? I really debated with whether to look at it or not but curiosity killed the cat and nwe’ who cares
that’s a 9-year-old,so I went ahead and perused through the book.

To my dear Sarah,

I almost collapsed,Wat could this little boy be talking about.I couldn’t resist,so I went ahead and read what was contained in it.

Sarah,I love I have really missed you.I will be coming over to see you when my mum goes out of the house.You are so beautiful and I love you so much

At this time I dint just want to collapse but to die.After a short while I had footsteps from outside so I let go the book and went to watch Tv-I couldn’t help it,so I stopped pretending and told him that I had read the contents of his note book.Do you know the boys burst into tears and did not talk to me the whole day.I never asked a question again until he came to tell me how he love this Indian girl called Sarah.

I could not help myself but tell to shut up.Now he is a grown up man,and all he tells me is how he saw a hot chick.I can not believe him.Is he okay.I just wonder…..

@Pic from Google

 

When being a woman becomes such an advantage…….

Many instances I have just escaped inconveniences because I am a woman,does someone feel me? Ladies first is the phrase that most of us go by and you take the advantage quickly.You start your day in the morning and as many people do,you take public transport to your destination be it going to college or going to work.If you are using public means you will not luck a man who stands by you and lets you have a sit.If you are lucky enough to be driving your own automobile,you will not luck somebody who is giving you a chance to pass or get a cop who is stopping the convoy right after you have passed,wow how lucky.

When it gets to lunch time there are probably queues at the places you are going to have your meals and again it is likely that you will find somebody who is kind enough to let a woman pass.In the evening there is same routine just like that one of morning and the trend continues.Am proud to be a woman.

Now, what makes me like the idea of being a woman more is the Al shabaab war that is currently going on in Kenya, (This is not to say that I support war) but security has been heightened especially in big places or corporates in the city.So, the scenario here is that when you go to a place in the city where people are being checked at the entrance,and you are with a guy he will be checked from head to toe while they will just let (the woman) pass.This is from experience last weekend I went to a quite busy shopping mall with a male friend and trust me they almost stripped him off for scrutiny but they just let me pass through.Am proud to be a woman!!!

 

The hype versus the reality of where you are moving to…….

Moving houses can be very chaotic but believe me when you are psyched,nothing can stop you especially when it comes with a couple of advantages which are getting your own room,getting new friends and getting to know a new environment.I would say I have all those advantages,I have a room outside the main house wow! that makes me feel like am old enough to fend for myself yes I am!.The day we were moving I had no idea of the house we are moving into so you can imagine my anxiety of seeing the new place.

Thank God! we were using movers(they were good,fast and organized) so no getting tired just sitting and waiting for them to pack everything in the lorry and we hit the road.Its also not an easy venture for them and especially when the couch can’t go through the door and they have to disjoint the door from the wall-That takes another half an hour and am so eager to get going to the new place.

At around 11 o’clock in the morning (this can tell you when we woke up) everything is ready sorry….not very ready because the movers came with a small lorry so therefore there have to be two trips (am definitely not in the second trip) Fine,we get going and as always there is so much traffic but any way we get there.

Wow! but do I say-I love the environment.Now the realities set in,I have a room outside the main house,I really do not mind but now this means I have to buy stuff my cube (my house).What do you even start with,a need a Tv ,Radio and name it the list is endless but I think i will manage everything-am a big girl.

Another reality checks in,this is a high market area (am not bragging) therefore you wont get matatus (public transport) and so I have to walk to town.Its a twenty-five minutes walk yea in the other I just used to walk to the stage and get a matatu so those are some of the realities that I have to deal with but at least it turned out to be a good place.*Wallah*

A pose to remind me of the last day in our hse

 

Attracting attention in the wrong way………….

Do you ever look at the designs and wordings on the garments that you buy? It is very crucial when you are buying these clothes you get to know what is written on them or what some of those designs or inscriptions mean. When you are buying second hand clothes especially, you should be more careful because these clothes come from all over the world and you might not know what it means.

The main ones that have this problem are T-shirts, they have all these ridiculous writing though some people do it on their own. It is just a warning because at times you look at somebody and you can tell that they have no idea what they are putting on because maybe they woke up and just picked anything and put it on, and walked out of the house.If you wear these clothes what is the reason? *Wallah*@Picture from google

 

You really look great but……………..

Everywhere you turn, you notice what somebody is dressed in, from the colors or how flamboyant the design is. It is a colorful world, but people exploit this by overdoing the colors, lucky you when you are a child because you won’t get the attention unlike when you are an adult when you over do your dressing. People should make their mirrors goods friends so that before you leave the house they can check you out and notify you that there is something wrong. At times you walk in town and you just ask, what the h*ll is that guy/chic wearing?

It is very critical to really get to understand what looks nice on your body-not to say I always do that-but at least get something that looks presentable unless you want to go turning their heads to check you out. I just walked out of the office to go have lunch then I meet this lady who is dressed in red, blue and green-fine maybe nowadays people are combining colors and they turn out great but if you can’t do that please Stop! Stop! STOP!

This just ends as disaster and especially for the “old school” folks. Dressing is very critical especially when it comes to people judging your character. When you are badly dressed people just assume that you are just irresponsible, you do not have time for self grooming. The other thing that people are trying out is dressing up using the same color-please can you stop that. This especially affects the ladies, do not put on RED earrings, a RED belt, a RED belt, a RED dress and RED shoes that’s a NO! NO! NO! NO! Break the monotony.

At least in the part of the world where I come from, there are fashion cops ,so if you are not careful people will just take your photos unawares and you find them in the media. What about that? I think that’s a good thing so that people can learn how to look good, though looking good is not even the issue but doing coordinated dressing-if there is anything like that.*Wallah*

 

Thankyou…………..

Many at times we forget to say the word ‘thankyou’ but what is the feeling you get when somebody else says that word to you? Am sure the feeling is not only great but awesome.It is very important to teach ourselves the importance of appreciating what other people do to us.

For the parents its advisable to teach children the importance of this word from the very tender age.But the main reason for this write up is to teach people on the importance of not just saying thank you but appreciating life and what we have in making the life easy.

I recently saw a Tv feature of a boy by the name Kibaki and his story is a bit touching because,he does not have any limbs and therefore you can imagine how difficult his life is but that is not the feeling he has,the young boy is jovial and takes life challenges as they are.How many of us are able to do that?

This young man has a bright future ahead of him,and the reason i can say this is because he has taken life positively and says ‘thank you’  to his maker.His story is one that can challenge you.He dresses himself ,feds himself and so many things.These are things that most people can not do yet they have all they can use.Let us learn to say “Thankyou”

 

 

New Trend…….

I really do not understand this new trend that people have these days,you get on a “matatu” public means and you are quietly seated and minding your own business and the person next to you starts telling long boring tales.I really do not get it,if am not interested in your stories then please stop talking to me.It has happened to me severally and some i entertain but some do not tell me anything that adds value in my life therefore i do not bother listening to what they have to offer.If somebody is not interested please stop bothering them.Today morning,i saw that in a matatu,this guy was trying to talk to a lady yet it was clear to everybody that she was interested in listening to his stories.This lady was trying to catch up on her studies n the man is insisting on some vybe, C’mon,if you have this habit please quit please and if not first analyse if the person wants to talk to you then you can go ahead and do that.*wallah*