Sports Journalist Isaac Swila Announces Exit From Citizen TV

Sports journalist Isaac Swila has announced his departure from Royal Media Services (RMS), bringing to an end a nine-year stint at the media house.

In a statement on Wednesday, August 5, Swila, who served as Head of the Sports Centre and News Editor, said he was looking forward to the next phase of his professional journey.

"After nine wonderful years at Royal Media Services, where I served as Head of the Sports Centre and News Editor, I have left the company to pursue a new chapter," he wrote.

Swila described his nine years at the broadcaster as a rewarding experience, saying the confidence placed in him by the company allowed him to lead teams and play a key role in one of the region's leading media organisations.

"These nine years have been remarkable - not simply because of their length, but because of the trust my employer placed in me: leading teams, contributing to strategy, nurturing talent, and serving as an important cog in the leading broadcast media house in East and Central Africa," he added.

Swila also highlighted the opportunity he had to influence sports journalism through the broadcaster's radio stations, sports news coverage, and Citizen TV's Sporty Monday programme.

"Equally rewarding was the opportunity to help shape national conversations through our 13 radio stations, sports news across the group, and Sporty Monday on Citizen TV - a programme that has grown into an influential platform for sports discussion," he further said.

Reflecting on his time at RMS, the veteran journalist praised his colleagues from various departments, saying he was honoured to work with dedicated professionals and contribute to the growth of the media brand.

"I had the privilege of working alongside exceptionally committed, professional, and talented colleagues across Editorial, Radio Programming, Commercial, Marketing, Technical, Production, Human Resources, and Administration.

"I am deeply grateful to have played a part in the growth of the brand and to have shared this incredible journey with so many outstanding people," he noted.

Swila also expressed appreciation to the company's leadership and staff for their support over the years and thanked them for the memorable farewell they accorded him.

"My sincere gratitude goes to the leadership of Royal Media Services, my colleagues, and everyone who made my stay memorable and gave me such a warm and heartfelt send-off. May God continue to bless RMS and every remarkable soul who calls it home," he stated.

Swila concluded by thanking viewers and audiences who followed his work, saying their support and constructive criticism helped him grow professionally throughout his time at the broadcaster.

"To everyone who watched Sporty Monday, followed our coverage, and faithfully consumed the news I helped produce over the years, thank you. Your support, encouragement, and constructive criticism made me better every single day," he concluded.

This comes a day after Activist Hanifa Adan announced her exit from Radio Generation after a four-month stint.

In a statement on Wednesday, August 5, she confirmed that the interview with Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa was her last engagement with the radio station.

Hanifa intimated that she had already tendered her resignation beforehand, and the interview confirmed that her path is in activism, not the newsroom.

"It was probably the interview that best captured what those few months had taught me when I joined the station; I was far more of an activist than a journalist," she stated.

Hanifa admitted that she had a difficult time restraining herself when interviewing politicians, especially those whom she had reservations about.

"I had no patience for politicians, especially those I felt had contributed to where this country is today. I even refused to interview some of them. I was convinced that giving them a platform was the wrong thing to do," she added.

Nonetheless, Hanifa expressed gratitude to the Radio Generation family for the experience and patience. 

"It's truly the home of hard truths. Quality content and amazing hosts. Lived it, loved it," she reiterated.

Hanifa disclosed that she received several complaints that she was being biased, especially against politicians allied to the ruling party, UDA.

She intimated that she had initially declined to interview ODM's Kasmuel McOure over fears that their conversation would spiral out of control. However, it turned out to be the complete opposite.

"I had refused to interview Kasmuel too, but eventually I realised I couldn't keep carrying my activist instincts into a newsroom. We did the interview, challenged each other, and it remained respectful," she recounted.

Hanifa admitted that the shift from activism to the press was one of the hardest adjustments she had to make. 

In addition, the activist stated that she was exhausted by the publicity drawn to her life since she first broke headlines in 2024.

"If I could choose, I would never choose that part of this life again. But I also know that nothing is going to change about me. I will always care. I will always fight. That part has never been negotiable," Hanifa further said.