Swaleh Mdoe, a celebrated Kenyan-born news anchor, author, and journalist, has been a household name in the media industry for close to three decades. Currently serving as the Managing Editor for Citizen TV’s Kiswahili service, Swaleh is admired for his mastery of the Swahili language and his signature .segment, Tafakari ya Babu, which has become a favourite among viewers.
He began his education at Tudor Day School in Mombasa, where he obtained his KCE in 1996. Swaleh later pursued a Diploma in Human Rights and Media at the Media Institution, before advancing to Malaspina University College in Canada, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies between 2003 and 2005.
Swaleh’s career in journalism took off in 1995 when he joined the BBC as a Swahili correspondent, a role he held until 1999. He later worked as a news presenter for NTV from 1999 to 2001, before moving to KTN, where he anchored local news from 2001 to 2007. In 2007, he joined Royal Media Services, where he has since become one of the most recognisable faces on Citizen TV.
Throughout his career, Swaleh has faced both triumphs and challenges. In April 2015, he was among several journalists dismissed from Citizen TV over allegations of corruption, with claims that they accepted money from a politician to suppress certain news stories. In 2018, he made headlines again when he revealed on social media that he was considering selling one of his kidneys due to financial hardships.
Despite these setbacks, Swaleh has continued to inspire many through his work and writing. He is the author of at least six books, with his most recent, Mpira wa Killo na Wenzake, released this year. His resilience, professionalism, and eloquence have cemented his legacy as one of Kenya’s most respected journalists.
