Biased against dreads

I watched the grand finale of The Presenter and I was very angry and disgusted. Although Edith won, the manner in which Koome was discriminated against because of his hairdo left me seething with anger. Since when did we start judging a book by its cover? Whatever happened to judging one ‘by the content of his character?’ That is why we as a society are unable to condemn the designer suit, briefcase carrying billionaire thug and instead find comfort in lynching the struggling Kenyan who is roughly dressed. I am a wife, mother of three and a successful businessperson and, oh yes, there is that small detail of my shoulder length dreads.

— Gathoni

Marvelous show

The Presenter show was good. I do not know what else to say except that some of the managers may have talked much. But the dynamic combination of Fareed Khimani and Janet Mbugua was spectacular! Kudos to the beautiful Edith, may you grow to be as superb as the KTN A–list of Njoroge, Beatrice, Muli and Namu among others. I love KTN.

— Bill

Haircut job

Congratulations to the Standard Group! It was truly a proud moment as a KTN viewer to watch Edith win The Presenter. Apart from being offered a job, the 19-year-old will have enhanced mobility, she will be given her own set of wheels!

As the show came to an end, though, there was a turn of events that raised eyebrows. The first runner-up Karani was recalled to the stage and was also promised a job. So what happened to the 2nd runner up?

Koome Gitobu was politely denied direct employment, as was implied by the manager’s remark, "We’d have to have a serious discussion first." Reason? The judges repeatedly warned him about it and it unfortunately dashed his chances: Koome has dreads.

I quietly observed that the neatly-shaven, suited-up lad comes across as the more job-worthy. Sad as it may be, it is the reality: in the job market, talent, skill and promising potential such as that displayed by Koome, is overruled by appearances. So would it be wrong to say that Koome was just a haircut away from clinching a job at KTN?

— Alvin