[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter Friday this week, the husky voice and infectious laughter that has ruled Kenyan airwaves for more than a decade will be no more. This is after veteran Capital FM veteran presenter Cess Mutungi announced on Tuesday that she will be leaving the station after 10 years of service.
Cess, the self-styled chairlady Nairobi Citi Titty Comitti, has been a senior presenter/ producer of the Jam 98.4, an afternoon radio show which runs every day from 3 pm to 7 pm.
In a previous interview with entertainment writer Adhyambo Odera, she revealed that she became a radio presenter by accident.
After Kenyatta University where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1995, she wanted to be a news anchor or at worst a reporter.
“Actually I wanted to be a Christiane Amanpour! But a chance meeting with Bob Kioko, then head of Radio at Nation FM changed my destiny,” Cess said.
After Nation FM, she also worked for Kiss FM, Capital and Hot 96 before she quit the radio scene for sometime.
“Radio stopped fascinating me. I realised you could only at best give it five years then move on. Many presenters today are sounding too similar it’s more like listening to a kipindi cha watoto (children’s programme). There is nothing edgy to keep one glued and even sadder is that the older presenters want to hold on to their turf …for me it was enough and I called it a day when I was still hot.”
During her career, her social life has also been chronicled in sections of the press, including allegations that she was found in a compromising situation with a well-known corporate CEO.
However, she dismissed the veracity of the stories.
“There is nothing worse than not being talked about but even worse is for people to make up stories just to sell papers, tabloids have cost me two high profile jobs, they have tainted my image and it is because they do not understand a word called professionalism, I hate the sleaze!”
Ever controversial, she was at one point fired from Capital FM for ridiculing Cabinet Minister Charity Ngilu’s CV?
“I regret it I have personally apologised to her but I realise now that it does not matter what we all think, when people have worked hard through the experiences of life and made it, they deserve a pat on the back,” she said during the interview.
However, she has a lot of respect for Chris Kirubi, the media house’s owner, and speaks of him in glowing terms. He gave her a second chance to hit the airwaves.
Cess, who has a daughter, is still single.
According to reports, her exit is part of restructuring at the Lonrho House-based media house, which will see employees’ salaries slashed by 25% effective next month.
He slot will be taken by former Citizen TV anchor Joey Muthengi in partnership with the station’s presenter Fareed Kimani, according to sources.
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Here are some of the reactions from her fans following news she was leaving the station:
@ChairladyNCTC it’ll be a looong day; without you my fren…. Adios but hope u’ll still be online ma’ .Thanks for everything ! https://t.co/dLpB3TL6tK
— Oku (@TNSMyMOTTO) May 28, 2019
It’s true, she said it and actually they made her a farewell playlist by her boss??
— Chen Da Gr8 (@ChenDaGr8) May 28, 2019
@ChairladyNCTC Oh what a sad day, Cant believe.thanks for best 10 yrs of laughter,jokes Inspirational storos & friendship @thejam984 . I’ll forever miss You.All da bestt,love. https://t.co/9ISrZ8IkMe
— Chiquitta Sue (@SuzzyMadds) May 28, 2019
@ChairladyNCTC we’re like RUTH &….Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, @thejam984 #MellowTuesday pic.twitter.com/A1s5zKgcNp
— Jeff Alcapone ™ (@JeffcaponeIZme) May 28, 2019
I’m hurt that @ChairladyNCTC is Leaving Capital Fm soon. You’ve blessed @thejam984 with your Melo Laugh and good playlist. “Aki unaenda wapi?” pic.twitter.com/aTrgjSRWOU
— Chen Da Gr8 (@ChenDaGr8) May 28, 2019
