Nation newspaper news editor Eric Shimoli is the latest to be pushed out of Nation centre under the ongoing restructuring. We have been reliably informed that Mr Shimoli, who has served in that position for many years too, was given his letter today morning, leaving the entire newsroom reeling in more shock just moments after it emerged that Sunday nation Managing Editor Eric Obino had also been sent home.
Shimoli’s sacking was unexpected, rumours only emerging from yesterday. A sharp journalist who has amassed journalistic expertise and sources on the job, Shimoli has held the Daily Nation newsdesk strongly, loved and hated almost in equal measure. Those who have worked with him say his smile can mean many things, more often than not the opposite of his feelings.
It’s not clear why he is being pushed out, but Nation Media could be breaking down political fiefdoms on the newsdesk as election campaigns get under way.
Shimoli, sitting at the apex of the country’s news agenda, is one of the biggest casualties of the retrenchment which nation hopes will cut costs but increase efficiency and revenues. His replacement is yet to be announced but there is talk of associate editor Ng’ang’a Mbugua and senior reporter Bernard Namunane as possible candidates for the job.
His exit comes over two years after his then deputy Patrick Mayoyo, who was being mentored to succeed him, was silently pushed out.
Namunane has been acting in that role and is seen as a strong contender for the news editor position, with a wealth of sources in the political and diplomatic circles. Mr Mbugua, an accomplished author and editor, is featuring both as a possible news editor for Daily Nation or managing editor for the weekend papers, thanks to his level-headed mien that wins him admiration.
But with the current changes, a total reshuffle could see some editors from weekend join the daily edition. These are anxious moments at Nation Centre as news of changes trickle in in bits.
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Eric Shimoli is a brilliant and cooperative News Editor, with high sense of integrity who has ensured that NMG is on top of the News Agenda and for me personally as a Government Public Communications Officer since 2001, he consistently highlighted Government events by ensuring Media coverage for Key events persistently. He will surely leave a bid gap at NMG and my prayer for him is that God opens a bigger door of opportunity for him as the Communication and News Media Field needs his professionalism.