Fridah Mwaka Breaks Silence on Claims She Has Quit NTV

NTV Swahili news anchor Fridah Mwaka has dismissed speculation that she has resigned from the Nation Media Group-owned television station, reassuring viewers that she is only taking a short break from her broadcasting duties.

The rumours emerged after a video of Mwaka bidding viewers farewell at the end of an NTV Wikendi broadcast circulated on social media, prompting several bloggers to suggest that she was leaving the station permanently.

Bloggers Misinterpret Mwaka’s Farewell

Mwaka disclosed that she was surprised to wake up to numerous phone calls and text messages from concerned viewers seeking clarification about her alleged departure.

She explained that her routine sign-off had been misunderstood, with some people convinced that she had presented her final bulletin at the station.

“I just woke up to find my phone buzzing, everyone asking where I am going, that I have left NTV,” she said.

The news anchor revealed that the speculation had caused genuine distress among some of her loyal viewers.

In one particularly emotional incident, an elderly woman called her and broke down in tears, expressing her disappointment at the thought of losing Mwaka from the weekend news programme.

The viewer reportedly praised her news presentation, her chemistry with co-anchor Lofty Matambo and her popular Gumzo la Sato segment.

‘I’m Not Quitting Any Job’

Addressing the rumours directly, Mwaka clarified that she had officially commenced her annual leave and had no plans to leave NTV.

“I’m not quitting any job. Mwanahabari ni mwanahabari siku zote. Mimi nimeanza likizo yangu rasmi nimeanza leave,” she clarified.

She explained that her farewell message during the broadcast was simply intended to inform viewers that she would be taking a break from her regular duties.

“Pale nilikuwa nawaambia kwaherini tutaonana, ilikuwa tu ni mambo ya likizo. Wote mlioingiwa na wasiwasi tulieni jamani, mimi bado nipo. Vacation mode activated,” she announced.

Mwaka further reassured her followers that she was not moving to another media house, urging them to disregard the reports circulating online.

“Tafadhalini hakuna mahali naenda. Mimi nipo, ni vile tu nimeenda likizo na kwa sasa mtakuwa na pacha wangu Lofty,” she added.

Lofty Matambo to Hold Fort During Her Absence

Mwaka co-hosts NTV’s popular Swahili weekend news bulletin alongside veteran journalist Lofty Matambo.

The duo, affectionately referred to as ‘twins’ by their viewers because of their close working relationship, joined NTV in 2021 after previously working at KTN.

With Mwaka now on leave, Matambo will temporarily take charge of the 7 PM NTV Wikendi bulletin without his usual broadcasting partner.

She assured viewers that her absence would only be temporary and that she would return to the news desk once her holiday comes to an end.

In a humorous twist, the presenter also suggested that those eager to reach her should consider sending her holiday pocket money through M-Pesa rather than repeatedly calling to establish where she was headed.

Her clarification is likely to reassure viewers who had feared that the popular news anchor was preparing to bid farewell to the station permanently.