Swaleh Mdoe is a veteran news anchor who has graced the Kenyan TV screens for over three decades. His mastery of the Swahili language makes him a force to reckon with. He delivers news with a lot of touchè and poise. The award-winning journalist is funny without even trying. He knows how to give a punch with a straight face and his viewers always look forward to his ‘Tafakari ya Babu’ making him one of the most loved news anchors.
Early Life and Education
Swaleh, born in 1968, hails from Tudor, Mombasa. He attended Tudor Day Secondary School where he undertook his Kenya Certificate of Education. He then proceeded to Media Institute, graduating with a Diploma in Human Rights and Media.
After his Diploma, he enrolled in Malaspina University College between 2003 and 2005. He graduated with a Bachelor of Communication in Media.
Career Life
Swaleh joined the media industry in 1991. He started as a news anchor at Nation TV (currently NTV), between 1999 and 2001.
He later moved to KTN where he hosted the news and also became the Swahili News Editor, a position he held for over six years (between 2001 and 2007). From KTN, he switched to Royal Media Services (RMS) where he’s currently based.
His mastery of the language and presentation skills has led him to become a published author. Swaleh has compiled several Swahili and English books. Hos catalog boasts of six books in total.
Awards
Swaleh’s excellence in journalism has earned him several local and international awards including:
- Star of Excellence Award (SOEA), from Daystar University, in 2004, issued to individuals who excel in leadership and service.
- Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Award, Journalists of the Year Awards (both 2003 and 2004)
- News Anchor of the Year (Kiswahili) Chaguo La Teeniz Awards(CHAT) four years in a row (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006).
- Favorite TV Male Presenter Award Goodwill Ambassador of Culture by Jamhuri Peace Foundation 2009 (by UN Habitat).
He has an extensive history in the field and has contributed news stories, features, and reports for several publications. This includes:
London-based shipping magazines, Ports International (1997-2002), Los Angeles Times (USA), Uhuru, and The Express newspapers both in Tanzania and local newspapers.
Between 1993 and 1999, Swaleh was a member of the East African Foreign Correspondents Association.
Between 2012 and 2016, he was a commissioner for ACALAN (African Academy of Languages), a specialized body of the African Union that promotes the use of African languages to foster African integration.
Currently, he is a member of the Media Council of Kenya and the Kenya Editors Guild.
Personal Life & Controversies
Swaleh has had a brush with the law several times. In 2015, he was suspended for allegedly receiving a bribe. He was among other news personalities who were said to have been bribed by a prominent politician to ‘kill’ a story that would probably taint their image. Among them were: Kiemeli Arap Kemei, Yusuf Ali, Shisia Wasilwa, and Mwanahamisi Hamadi.
In 2006, Mdoe’s nationality was called into question. He was unexpectedly flagged by immigration officials during a routine verification process, sparking a series of investigations to prove his citizenship.
Swaleh is a highly private person. There are no known details about his immediate family though sources say he is married with several children. He was once accused of being a deadbeat dad by one Fauzia Ahmed, who accused him of neglecting their child and lack of financial support. The lady has had a hard time proving paternity and was demanding excesses of 100K for monthly support.
Was Selling His Kidney
In 2018, Saleh Mdoe tried to sell his kidney. He claimed the money was to be used to sort out some urgent financial need. In an interview with Pulse Kenya, the veteran journalist said it was the best decision for him at the moment. He indicated that he had consulted his doctor and was confident of living with one kidney.
“I have decided to sell one of my kidneys after consulting my doctor on the matter. I have some pressing financial issues that I want to offset and all I can think of right now is selling my kidney. Feel free to share my mobile phone number (0722733130). I need to do this urgently,” ~ Swalleh Mdoe said.
There are no known records of his net worth or salary estimates.
