Mtoto wa Mama Ann Njogu, a seasoned broadcast journalist at Radio Maisha, has spent nearly a decade shaping Kenya’s airwaves. From furthering her studies as an evening student while working and raising a family, she shares her journey, lessons, and the passion that keeps her voice relevant in a changing industry.
Who is Ann Njogu? Give us a brief insight.I am a broadcast journalist with over nine years’ experience in radio. I am also the Programmes Controller at Radio Maisha, where I am in charge of programs content. In addition, I host a TV show on KTN called Biashara Viwandani. So yes, I am a full-spectrum broadcaster.
Where and what did you study at university?I studied at Moi University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Public Relations.
Your favourite and worst units?My favourite unit was communication theory. I absolutely loved it. My worst? Anything to do with mathematics. I didn’t enjoy that at all.
Best and worst lecturers?For my love of communication theory, naturally, the lecturer who taught the unit stands out as my best. I also enjoyed the classes taken by the lecturer who taught entrepreneurship. However, the one who handled the mathematics units didn’t leave the best impression on me.
Are you currently doing what you studied at university?Yes, absolutely. I am doing exactly what I trained for.
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Honestly, campus life wasn’t too exciting for me because I was a part-time student. I would go to work during the day, head to class by 5:30 pm., and finish by 9pm. There wasn’t much time for social activities or extracurriculars. When you are studying while raising a family, certain things become more difficult to participate in.
How did you make money while on campus?Since I wasn’t a full-time student, I was already working and earning a salary. In addition, I ran a cosmetics shop on Thika Road and owned a car that operated as a taxi. I was always on the move.
How was your dating life at university?Dating? For whom and for what? (Laughs). I was already married at the time.
Thoughts on campus relationships?I don’t have much personal experience, but I have heard stories. For some, it’s a way to beat boredom. That said, I know a few people whose campus relationships turned serious and led to marriage. Others? Well, hizi zingine ni kusukuma masiku, just passing time.
How did you spend your free time?I barely had any. I was juggling work during the day and classes in the evening. It was all quite structured.
Classmates you will never forget?Yes,I had my favourites, those we had so much in common in terms of value, discipline and commitment. Nelson Opan stands out, he now works, I believe, as Communications Director at the Kenya Scouts Association. Then there was our class representative, Mr Shikoli, a very interesting guy. He would always insist we pay him to print our assignments (laughs). Those two really stood out.
How did you get into radio?When I was in Form Two, we visited KBC on a school tour. Interestingly, some managers noticed me. When we went to the TV studio, one of them told me, ‘I think this lady can make something out of the media.’ They sat me in front of the autocue and had me read the news. It was recorded, and I think that’s where my interest began.
Later, my Geography and History teacher, Mr Njoroge, encouraged me to pursue journalism when I was choosing courses to apply at the university. He saw potential. My Kiswahili teacher also picked up on something in me. I was excellent in languages.
He often had me read storybooks like Fasaha and Wahali Aju. These two really influenced me.
What challenges have you faced, and what’s your secret to staying relevant?One major challenge is working in an industry where advertising revenue has been shrinking, especially with the rise of digital and social media. Sometimes this means pay cuts or inconsistent salaries. But social media itself isn’t the enemy. It has its own opportunities and challenges.
I have stayed relevant by staying in touch with trends, constantly rebranding myself, and doing lots of research. I am a presenter who relates to every audience. Whether it’s the youth or older listeners, I adapt my language and tone. Emotional intelligence is key, knowing how to speak to each type of audience.
Any tips for thriving in the ever-changing radio industry?Be multimedia. Don’t limit yourself to just radio. Get on YouTube, try podcasting, do television, and if you can write, do that too. No human being is linear.
Also, know your passion and brand yourself accordingly. If you stand for women’s empowerment, let that be clear. Let people know you for something.
What does the future look like for Ann Njogu? What do we expect?More content creation. More thought leadership across various sectors. And more influence through creative and strategic storytelling. That is what is next.
Any final words for young people keen on pursuing career on radio?Don’t do it for the glitz and glamour. Do it for the passion, the purpose, and most importantly, for the impact.