This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
Switch TV has suffered another blow just four months after talented presenter Remy Majala left the station over reported frustration. Prime time news anchor Leah Ngari has quit the media house, with sources suggesting that she may have left for the same reasons as Majala.
According to sources at Switch TV, Ngari left the station this week after becoming increasingly frustrated with Tamima Ibrahim's management style. Insiders claim that Ibrahim, who is also the head of content, micromanages everything in the newsroom, especially after the departure of Emmanuel Juma, who rejoined NTV.
Speaking to Business Today in May, Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Secretary Erick Oduor acknowledged that he was aware of Ngari's frustrations. However, it remains unclear whether the union is in a position to involve itself in the matter, as Switch TV has not signed any agreement with the Kenya Red Cross Society-owned media house.
Ngari's departure is likely to put Tamima Ibrahim on the spot once again, following Business Today's exclusive report in May that her management style was the major contributing factor in Majala's decision to leave Switch TV.
Switch TV is also struggling to pay salaries, according to another source. This revelation comes as the media house is still reeling from the loss of popular presenter Grace Msalame, who never joined Switch TV despite featuring prominently in promos when the TV station was launching last year.
Business Today reported in May that Tamima Ibrahim's tenure at Ebru TV, where she was the Channel Operations Manager, was marked by a high staff turnover. Ibrahim previously hosted the 'Str8 Up' show at KTN.
