CATHERINE KASAVULI
Catherine, The Great Communicator
Catherine the Great made some major conquests as Queen but Catherine Kasavuli, without doubt the Queen of Broadcast Journalism in Kenya, made even Greater conquests in broadcasting as a communicator of the English Language.
Catherine, The Great Communicator
Catherine the Great made some major conquests as Queen but Catherine Kasavuli, without doubt the Queen of Broadcast Journalism in Kenya, made even Greater conquests in broadcasting as a communicator of the English Language.
Catherine the Great was a Prussian Princess, after all.
Catherine’s Kasavuli’s command of the Queen’s language, coupled with her charming smile always disarmed her audience and left them in awe whenever she anchored the nightly news.
With the iconic photo above, maybe we could just end this story right here.
Maybe not. The photo seems to say it all. Catherine Kasavuli, a household name, the first female news anchor in a privately-owned station in Kenya with a poise and diction fit for TV royalty.
There were fewer posters that gave Kenyan youth of the 90s so much joy than those with the artsy KTN logo.
As one Tweep said: “The old skul logo in the background says it all Catherine Kasavuli equates wholesomeness, and locked family TV viewing down” #Tbt
@bennetowuonda
@bennetowuonda
Genteel Elegance
You don’t get to be the country’s first female news anchor, on its first private TV station just like that, unless greatness lies within your purview as a trailblazing woman. As recently as the 1970s, a woman doing hard news was a rarity in the TV industry.
You don’t get to be the country’s first female news anchor, on its first private TV station just like that, unless greatness lies within your purview as a trailblazing woman. As recently as the 1970s, a woman doing hard news was a rarity in the TV industry.
Female broadcasters the world over were trusted with the weather and some lighthearted assignments. So it was in Kenya.
Humility personified
Catherine had the attention of the entire Nation when she was at Broadcasting House where she started off as a continuity announcer. Even today, Catherine Kasavuli strikes one as a humble media personality.
Catherine had the attention of the entire Nation when she was at Broadcasting House where she started off as a continuity announcer. Even today, Catherine Kasavuli strikes one as a humble media personality.
Her late father, Mr Ezekiel Agengu Kasavuli is said to have been the consummate professional as a civil servant. He spoke impeccable English and could speak several African languages as well. Catherine is a chip off the old block, some would say.
Her mother, Mrs. Rachel Inyangala Kasavuli has been a great support system to Catherine.
A Bible and a Prayer
It all began with Catherine reading a passage from the Bible and praying for the family’s dinner at their home in Nairobi West. Catherine’s uncle encouraged her to attend the interview sessions being conducted at Broadcasting Hse where there was an opening.
It all began with Catherine reading a passage from the Bible and praying for the family’s dinner at their home in Nairobi West. Catherine’s uncle encouraged her to attend the interview sessions being conducted at Broadcasting Hse where there was an opening.
In an interview with the Standard Newspaper, Catherine remembers, “He said I had a remarkable voice and that my expression, articulation and diction was also very good and urged me to try my luck at the Voice of Kenya (VOK) where there was a vacancy.
That’s how I ended up going for an interview,” says Catherine who was barely 18 at that time.
Catherine Kasavuli was soon to carry her polite disposition from the genteel suburbs of Nairobi to the living rooms of Kenyan homes.
Lupita’s Mum
In a very interesting turn of events, Mrs.Dorothy Nyong'o, wife to Prof Anyang Nyong’o and Lupita’s mum was a member of the VOK interviewing panel. For some reason, most of the celebrated broadcasters then had an encounter with the who is who of society those days.
In a very interesting turn of events, Mrs.Dorothy Nyong'o, wife to Prof Anyang Nyong’o and Lupita’s mum was a member of the VOK interviewing panel. For some reason, most of the celebrated broadcasters then had an encounter with the who is who of society those days.
Catherine Kasavuli was gifted and it was evident from that early age that she was going to go places.
Shortlisted
Catherine’s interview went very well and she was among the three finalists left standing after the large group of interviewees was whittled down to only three. The rest, as they say, is history.
Catherine’s interview went very well and she was among the three finalists left standing after the large group of interviewees was whittled down to only three. The rest, as they say, is history.
Sat at the canteen
In the conservative Kenya of the 1980s, the older folks were pretty strict about setting boundaries. Especially in places like the VOK when one had to share that space with an elite group of journalists in the country.
In the conservative Kenya of the 1980s, the older folks were pretty strict about setting boundaries. Especially in places like the VOK when one had to share that space with an elite group of journalists in the country.
It is quite understandable when Catherine narrates the story of not fitting in at first because of her youth: ”I would sit at the office canteen or at the reception, afraid of sitting on someone’s chair or crossing their path.”
In those days the older folks would give you ‘the look’ if you, as a young person, were somewhere they thought you didn’t belong.
For example, if an elderly passenger entered the bus and a youngster sat a few seconds too long before giving up the seat, the elder passenger would give the youngster ‘the look’; and it usually worked. The guilt. The pricking of the conscience.
Sometimes it was a neighbor who sat in the back of the bus. Later that evening, the snitch would report to your mum,’Habari Mama ….Huyu kijana wako si muungwana, hapeani kiti kwa gari…
Those were the days before the ‘Michuki Rules’ for public transportation were in effect. Typically, Kenyans would be packed like sardines in buses and matatus back then.
1982 Coup
Everyone at VOK has a Coup story and Catherine is no exception. Catherine Kasavuli was then a young mother breastfeeding her son who was a few days shy of being a year-old when Kenya Air Force officers raided the Broadcasting House, announcing a government takeover.
Everyone at VOK has a Coup story and Catherine is no exception. Catherine Kasavuli was then a young mother breastfeeding her son who was a few days shy of being a year-old when Kenya Air Force officers raided the Broadcasting House, announcing a government takeover.
She would be taken to work in a Land Rover full of armed Kenya Army soldiers. That’s when she realized that broadcasting was an essential service to the nation. Catherine said to herself: “This is where I want to be.”
(To all the older boys who wrote Catherine Kasavuli’s name on the walls in the school’s boys’ washroom or at home, we still remember. Our older brothers were the ones who washed those walls).
KTN
March 1990 and the first private TV station in Kenya is about to go on air with its first live broadcast. Gone was the pre-recorded format of presenting news, going live was the in-thing.
March 1990 and the first private TV station in Kenya is about to go on air with its first live broadcast. Gone was the pre-recorded format of presenting news, going live was the in-thing.
Catherine Kasavuli was the first female news anchor at the Kenya Television Network (KTN). The excitement was palpable and as the cliche goes, there was a lot of excitement in the air.
Those early days, the news broadcasts were from the only two TV stations in Kenya, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and KTN.
KTN later on became a powerhouse, with most of the TV personalities having passed through its doors, making one’s wearing of KTN’s alumni status, a badge of honor.
Sat on Crates and Carton Boxes
Like many founders would know, the beginning of setting up an organization is not a glamorous affair. Catherine and her co-workers would type on the Olivetti typewriters as most things Government stationery were all so old and quaint.
Like many founders would know, the beginning of setting up an organization is not a glamorous affair. Catherine and her co-workers would type on the Olivetti typewriters as most things Government stationery were all so old and quaint.
Digital Migration Precursor
Before the era of Digital Migration, Kenyans were whipped up into a frenzy with the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) craze of the 1990s.
Before the era of Digital Migration, Kenyans were whipped up into a frenzy with the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) craze of the 1990s.
The viewer would have to purchase a new UHF aerial in order to view KTN’s programming. It was so exciting to be able to watch the Australian soap, ‘Neighbours’ on Ramsey Street (with Kylie Minogue) and other cool programs that one could only catch on KTN.
Viewing a TV set on Very High Frequency (VHF) was so 1980s.
Fashion Sense
Catherine Kasavuli always dresses well.
Catherine Kasavuli always dresses well.
Ksh 1500 per Month
Catherine’s first monthly pay was Ksh 1500 a month. Back then 1500 wasn’t so bad a pay. She would earn Ksh 3500 from commercials. At one point she made Ksh 25000 from a commercial and that was like winning the lottery, then.
Catherine’s first monthly pay was Ksh 1500 a month. Back then 1500 wasn’t so bad a pay. She would earn Ksh 3500 from commercials. At one point she made Ksh 25000 from a commercial and that was like winning the lottery, then.
State House
One time, Catherine and her co-workers were summoned to State Hse for some transgressions the station had committed. KTN executives were over-enthusiastic in reporting the news, not having gotten the memo that KANU wasn’t quite ready for a vibrant and free press.
One time, Catherine and her co-workers were summoned to State Hse for some transgressions the station had committed. KTN executives were over-enthusiastic in reporting the news, not having gotten the memo that KANU wasn’t quite ready for a vibrant and free press.
Catherine recalls: “That was a close shave. Executive bosses were reprimanded in our presence and we dared not speak or breath. It was tense!
But relief came when we were told that despite the misdemeanour, we were professionals with a refreshing approach to news gathering and delivery and were pardoned and directed to be impartial and balanced.”
"Many a times, I had to wipe tears from my eyes as I read the news about the struggles #NelsonMandela was going through." - Catherine Kasavuli Celebrating 100 Years of Mandela.
Philosophy on How to Stay Young
In an interview with Citizen TV’s ‘Strength of a Woman’, Catherine’s philosophy always speaks to the importance of having a positive attitude. Watching out for what one consumes is important.
In an interview with Citizen TV’s ‘Strength of a Woman’, Catherine’s philosophy always speaks to the importance of having a positive attitude. Watching out for what one consumes is important.
Whether it is what one ingests as food or what you put in your mind eventually affects what comes out.
“What you read, what you allow yourself to watch determines what you will be tomorrow,” she says. Catherine Kasavuli reminds the viewers to watch what they eat and what feeds into their minds.
Humor on Screen
Bang. Bang. Bang. The banging continued on the 21st floor of Nyayo House, where KTN studios were housed:"A nut was loose somewhere in a light above and nobody realized.
Bang. Bang. Bang. The banging continued on the 21st floor of Nyayo House, where KTN studios were housed:"A nut was loose somewhere in a light above and nobody realized.
From the top floor, someone was banging, the light was swaying and dangling and there was nothing I could do because I was on air. The light came down and hit my head,’ was Catherine Kasavuli’s most humorous moment on screen."
Royal Media
Upon her departure from KTN in 2007, Catherine Kasavuli joined Citizen TV, which is owned by the Royal Media Services, as the evening news anchor. She also doubled-up as the Corporate Affairs Manager at the station. She retired in 2015.
Upon her departure from KTN in 2007, Catherine Kasavuli joined Citizen TV, which is owned by the Royal Media Services, as the evening news anchor. She also doubled-up as the Corporate Affairs Manager at the station. She retired in 2015.
Giraffes, Game at Nairobi National Park
Nairobi is the only city in the world with a National Park within its city limits. Living in the wooden cottages bordering the National Park was every child’s dream.
Nairobi is the only city in the world with a National Park within its city limits. Living in the wooden cottages bordering the National Park was every child’s dream.
With the Wilson Airport nearby, there sure was a lot of activity in the neighborhood for young Catherine.
Zebras, giraffes, antelopes and ostriches would pass by Catherine’s house with which the Nairobi National Park shared a border, as they headed to the nearby stream in Nairobi West.
The majestic trek of the giraffes, antelopes and the other animals was simply magical to the young children.
Traveling, Reading and Cooking
Catherine loves to travel, perhaps from the family’s fun-filled road trips as the Kasavulis went to the rural home during school holidays using the family’s FIAT.
She also loves to read and cook.
Catherine loves to travel, perhaps from the family’s fun-filled road trips as the Kasavulis went to the rural home during school holidays using the family’s FIAT.
She also loves to read and cook.
Order of the Grand Warrior
One of the highest accolades Catherine Kasavuli received was the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) presented to her by the then President Mwai Kibaki for her contributions to broadcasting in Kenya.
One of the highest accolades Catherine Kasavuli received was the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) presented to her by the then President Mwai Kibaki for her contributions to broadcasting in Kenya.
Kasavuli Media Group
After retiring from TV, Catherine Kasavuli founded the Kasavuli Media Group that has 5 other subsidiaries. One of the companies focuses on training broadcasters in matters of professional etiquette.
Photo: @PhyllisWakiaga
After retiring from TV, Catherine Kasavuli founded the Kasavuli Media Group that has 5 other subsidiaries. One of the companies focuses on training broadcasters in matters of professional etiquette.
Photo: @PhyllisWakiaga
Mentor
Catherine Kasavuli has mentored many. Among the earliest mentees is @ChrisKirwa, the events guru @CateChrisLtd who tweeted during KTN’s Friday Briefing program:
Catherine Kasavuli has mentored many. Among the earliest mentees is @ChrisKirwa, the events guru @CateChrisLtd who tweeted during KTN’s Friday Briefing program:
@BettyKyalo Catherine Kasavuli trained me 2 b a presenter in English Service KBC before she moved 2 @KTNKenya #FridayBriefing #Grateful2Date
@BettyKyalo @KTNKenya let her know - the chance she gave me made all the difference and contributed to who I am today . God bless her.
We are certain that there are many, many more such stories from Ms Kasavuli’s mentees..
Back on TV Soon
A good number of Kenyans rejoiced when news went round that Catherine the Great Communicator might be back on our TV screens soon. So, the story ends where it started, at Broadcasting House on Harry Thuku Road, where Ms.Catherine Kasavuli launched her career.
A good number of Kenyans rejoiced when news went round that Catherine the Great Communicator might be back on our TV screens soon. So, the story ends where it started, at Broadcasting House on Harry Thuku Road, where Ms.Catherine Kasavuli launched her career.
In a rebranded KBC, news of Catherine making a comeback at that station may be one of the biggest coups in Kenya’s media industry in recent memory.
We await the Queen’s grand return.
We await the Queen’s grand return.
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