Linus Kaikai’s Bold Journey to the Top

Kaikai's dedication to his craft and his fierce defense of media freedom have become defining traits of his career

Linus Kaikai was earlier this year named as Royal Media Services (RMS) Editorial Director, putting him in charge of output across all of the company’s outlets. Among platforms under the large RMS umbrella are Citizen TV and Radio Citizen – Kenya’s most watched and listened to TV and radio stations respectively.

His appointment followed the exit of Joe Ageyo who left for a new role at Nation Media Group (NMG). The appointment is the latest milestone in Kaikai’s prolific journalism career spanning over two decades.

Kaikai’s dedication to his craft and his fierce defense of media freedom have become defining traits of his career. In 2018, he had to spend a night at NMG offices in fear of arrest after he strongly backed NTV’s coverage of Raila Odinga’s swearing in at Uhuru Park as the ‘People’s President’ after disputed Presidential elections.

The former Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) Chairman has the accolades to show for it as well. He is the winner of two CNN Africa Journalism Awards – including TV journalist of the year in 1997 and Environmental Journalist of the year in 1998.

His career as a journalist began with him as an intern reporter at KTN. After finding his footing, he started delivering strong reports as his journalistic talent shone through. When former KTN and SABC cameraman Johnson Barasa passed in 2020, Kaikai harked back to his beginnings as he paid tribute.

“Johnson Barasa was to me a career big brother. Because of him I gathered the confidence to face the camera for the first time as an intern. I moved with him to SABC and together we told good and bad stories around the world,” he wrote in April 2020.

READ>>Telkom, PEACE Cable Land New Submarine Cable In Kenya

In June 1999, Kaikai joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as a correspondent. At SABC he covered various major news stories and interviewed the likes of Nelson Mandela.

Between 1999 and 2007, he rose through the ranks from Correspondent to Bureau Chief and is credited with being among key figures who established SABC’s presence in East Africa.

He returned to KTN in 2007 armed with a wealth of experience and expertise. He was appointed Managing Editor in charge of Quality and Product Development.

He stayed  at KTN until 2009 when he moved to NTV where he was appointed Managing Editor. He climbed the corporate ladder and by 2018, when he left, was in charge of NMG’s broadcast division as NTV General Manager.

Thereafter, Kaikai moved to RMS as part of a new dream team featuring media talents poached from other media houses – including Joe Ageyo and Yvonne Okwara. He was named Director of Strategy and Innovation.

At Citizen, he also found himself back on screen as part of the Newsgang panel. Kaikai also began hosting his own hard-hitting news analysis segment known as Kaikai’s Kicker.

Kaikai has also produced various political documentaries such as Moi, Mwai and Muigai. He also moderated Kenya’s first Presidential debate in 2013.

READ>>Citizen TV Presenter Who Doesn’t Wear Plastic Smile On Screen

 

Latest

SasaPay To “Pay SMEs To Get Paid” Via New Cash-Back Model

SasaPay has introduced a new cash-back model designed to...

Gor Mahia Fan Who Correctly Predicted 15 Out of 17 Games Wins Millions

The 30-year-old, also an avid follower of English Premier League giants Manchester United, came close to the grand prize of Ksh334,783,843 SportPesa Jackpot.

In Race for African Leadership Award, Ruto Faces Tough Opposition

Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

Transforming Financial Inclusion: The Impact of M-Pesa in Kenya and Beyond 

Discover the profound impact of M-Pesa on financial inclusion in Kenya and beyond. Explore how this innovative mobile service revolutionizes transactions and shapes the future of finance globally.

Follow Us

Newsletter

Don't miss

Safaricom To Power Tusker OktobaFest Beer Festival

Safaricom’s involvement in OktobaFest as a technology and payments partner will focus on fostering seamless in-festival connectivity, empowering the youth and Gen Z community through Safaricom Hook, and powering digital payments through M-PESA.

Music Producers Launch Organization To Streamline Recording Industry

Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE) was launched on 9th October 2023. Registered in 2022 as a not-for-profit organization, RIKE aims to promote the collective interests of producers of sound recordings in the country.

Nairobi’s Hero Bar Listed Among World’s 50 Best Bars

World Best Bars: Hero Bar in Nairobi continues to climb the list, moving up six places to No.62 and Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax comes in at No.94. Dubai new entry Ergo is at No.69 and Melbourne’s Byrdi has re-entered the list at No.61.

Kenyan DJs Face Off In Smirnoff Battle Of The Beats Season 3

The Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3, a DJ competition, is poised to unleash an unprecedented musical frenzy countrywide.

The Highs And Lows Of Betty Kyallo, Sisters Show As Season 2 Ends

Kyallo Kulture has always been, above all, about sisterhood, and in Season 2 we have witnessed the charm of it - the ups that gave us wholesome moments as the sisters led by Betty Kyallo spent time together.

DStv Beats CNN, BBC To Become Most Admired Media Outlet In Africa

DStv, MultiChoice Group’s leading broadcast service, has been named...

MultiChoice Revises Subscription Fees For DStv, GOtv

MultiChoice has announced price adjustments on some of their...

Octopizzo: How I Make My Money

"I've been doing this for 12, 13 years. It reaches a point where you no longer need to prove that you can make a hit record," he stated.

New Spotify EQUAL Artist Qing Madi Talks Music and Dreams

Heavily influenced by her cultural background and the lyrical arrangements of Kendrick Lamar, the versatile Nigerian prodigy is shaping the future of music with her unique genre-bending fusion of Afrobeats, Pop, Soul and R&B.

Bob Collymore Immortalized in New Festival

The late Collymore was famous for his love for jazz and even initiated the Safaricom Jazz Festival, which saw several of the world's biggest Jazz artists perform in Nairobi.
BUSINESS TODAY
BUSINESS TODAYhttps://businesstoday.co.ke
editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

SasaPay To “Pay SMEs To Get Paid” Via New Cash-Back Model

SasaPay has introduced a new cash-back model designed to empower business owners to reduce costs and bolster profitability by receiving compensation for collecting payments...

Gor Mahia Fan Who Correctly Predicted 15 Out of 17 Games Wins Millions

The 30-year-old, also an avid follower of English Premier League giants Manchester United, came close to the grand prize of Ksh334,783,843 SportPesa Jackpot.

In Race for African Leadership Award, Ruto Faces Tough Opposition

Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here