Racheal Kibui lifts the lid on her success, challenges as a journalist
Racheal Kibui, a veteran journalist based in Nakuru.
Rachael Kibui is a vibrant individual with a passion for journalism. Born and raised in Nyeri, she developed a deep connection to venture into any language related course.
Ms Kibui says, “Back in class two, I did a composition that I topped with 28 out of 30 that was read out in the assembly with my father who was a teacher. Since then, I grew up wanting to do a language related course.”
She notes that she at first considered being a teacher like her father since it was in the line of what she wanted but after comparing their life and that of her father’s friend who was an editor, she changed her decision.
“I never saw my father’s friend house with any smoke; it was always the lavish life I craved to have and since my parents unfortunately did not manage to offer this to me, meant that I was the one responsible to give myself this in future,” Ms Kibui says.
She points out that she worked extra hard in school and immediately she graduated in 2005 with a diploma, she moved to Nakuru where she got married and after a short while, secured her first job in Summit Club as a receptionist.
“While working as a receptionist, back in the evening while at home I would write my article and send it to the editors. Luckily, my first article was posted in 2006 in the month of April in Taifa leo,” she excitedly discloses.
Ms Kibui states that through her hard work over the years apart from her being a receptionist and working for Taifa Leo, she as well worked for UN industrial development organization, Media Council developing curriculum on training journalists on reporting climate change, Hivos East Africa, Seed savers Network, Pelum Kenya, Nation Media Group and currently working for CGIAR’S Nature Positive Solutions Initiative under The Alliance Biodiversity and CIAT as a communication consultant.
"As a woman, I have been in the agricultural journalism for 10 years. I became a mental trainer and a Mental Health champion regardless of being looked down upon as a woman, having faced sexual harassment," Ms Kibui highlights.
Her advice to young budding women journalists is that everything starts within yourself, as getting what you want only needs one to become determined and become the person wants to be in future.
She adds that it may take a lot of time for your career to make sense.
"As much as I planned for my future at a young age of just 24 years, I still haven't reached to become the person I want to be, as big goals never end. I’m currently taking a course in Herbalism and in future plans is to train journalists on food safety, climate change reporting and nature positive agriculture," Ms Kibui concludes