This archive report was first published on 19 July 2020.
Published on July 19, 2020, Jahmby Koikai recounts her experience of missing out on a top news anchor job, a reality show that was running on a major TV channel in Kenya.
She had always had a knack for news and was working at Metro FM at the time. She walked to her boss and asked if he was okay with her participating in the competition, and he agreed.
However, upon arriving at the audition venue, Film Studios, she was dismayed to find a long queue stretching all the way to the showground. The briefing paper indicated that no persons with experience in a media house were allowed to participate in the audition.
Despite feeling discouraged, Jahmby decided to go on with the audition. She recalled that the judges were a few people she was in campus with, which made her feel a wave of despair.
However, she did her thing and was considered. She was assigned to a group and they won the challenge. Later that evening, they were driven back to Film Studios for a briefing, where the presenter announced that some of them had to go home.
Her name was called out first, and she was dropped home, feeling dejected. Her mom and late grandma were sad because they loved to watch her do the news.
Years later, doors opened for her, and she applied for a news anchor position. Although she didn't get the job, she is grateful that she didn't, as she battled severe Endometriosis in silence for over 19 years.
She advises people battling chronic ailments, saying that there is hope even at the darkest hour.
