Why KTN’s Ben Kitili Resigned to Join Rival NTV

News anchor Ben Kitili is set to leave Kenya Television Network (KTN) to join Nation Media Group owned NTV next week.

According to sources at the Standard Group, Kitili will be leaving the Moi-owned station next week – as he is currently serving his notice.

Kitili has had a mixed experience; oscillating between bitter and sweet, during his time at KTN.

It is said that he has not been very happy at KTN after change in leadership saw him drastically slide down the pecking order.

Kitili was in charge of anchors during the reign of former KTN Managing Editor Hellen Wanjiru, who was fired from the station a few months ago – and which saw the station hire Veteran journalist Peter Opondo as head of broadcast.

Just a reporter

Opondo’s arrival at the station saw the meteoric rise of Sofia Wanuna who was mostly relegated to reporting in the field when Hellen was calling the shots. It is said that Ms Wanuna and Hellen were not the best of friends.

As good fortune would have it, Wanuna’s star rose in one giant step after her coverage of Miguna Miguna’s deportation saga at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) – something that saw her get awarded during the staff communication that year.

“The arrival of Opondo saw emergence of two camps, one supporting pitting Wanuna and Opondo on one side, and Kitili and others on the other side,” a source at the Standard told Mwanahabari.co.ke.

Matters would, however, come to a head after Opondo was fired in July 2021 – and Wanuna elevated to hold the position albeit in acting capacity – in a communication made by the top management in an internal memo.

A pinch of salt

As it stands, Wanuna is the one currently calling the shots at the TV station – something that some TV journalists with many years of experience have taken with a pinch of salt.

She is part of the Super Desk team which comprises – [Charles Otieno, Caroline Kimutai, John Bundotich, Nzau, Kizito Namulanda, Alwanga and Nzioka]

According to internal sources, the infighting is serious. It’s bad and toxic even to work delivery.

Kitili is set to link up with former colleagues Lofty Matambo and Fridah Mwaka who also left KTN in April 2021 to join NTV.