Swaleh Mdoe, a familiar face on Citizen TV Swahili news, finds himself at the center of attention as news of his suspension from appearing on air reverberates through Kenya’s media landscape.
According to a reliable source within the Dennis Pritt Road-based media house, Mdoe’s suspension stems from his absence during a scheduled 1:00 pm bulletin on Tuesday, January 23.
The decision to suspend Mdoe was reportedly triggered by his failure to present the daytime news bulletin and his subsequent failure to inform his supervisors about his absence.
The lack of communication prompted management to take swift action, suspending the veteran news anchor indefinitely.
Sources indicate that Mdoe’s absence was due to a medical check-up on the day of the missed bulletin.
However, his failure to follow proper protocols regarding notification led to management’s stern response.
Despite returning to work the following day, Mdoe was met with summons from his superiors, who informed him of the suspension and barred him from appearing on air until further notice.
Since the suspension, Mdoe has been reporting to work as usual, although he remains sidelined from his on-air duties.
Known for his prominent role in hosting the Monday prime-time Swahili bulletin at 7:00 pm, as well as the 1:00 pm bulletins on Tuesday through Friday, Mdoe’s absence has left a noticeable void in Citizen TV’s programming lineup.
With a career spanning over three decades, Mdoe has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim within Kenya’s media industry.
Beginning his journey in 1991, he has traversed both print and electronic media landscapes, with stints at prominent outlets such as Kenya Times, Standard Newspapers, BBC, and Nation TV, among others.
Mdoe’s tenure at Citizen TV since March 2007 has solidified his status as a permanent fixture on Kenyan screens, earning him numerous accolades along the way.
Notably, he has been honored with awards such as Journalist of the Year by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and News Anchor of the Year (Kiswahili) in both 2003 and 2004.
As the situation unfolds, Mdoe’s suspension raises questions about the dynamics of workplace accountability and communication protocols within Kenya’s media industry.
With his absence leaving a noticeable gap in Citizen TV’s programming, audiences await further developments regarding his status and potential return to the airwaves.
