NTV News Anchor Zainab Ismail Exits Nation Media Group After 8-Year Stint

NTV English news anchor Zainab Ismail has announced her departure from the Nation Media Group (NMG) after eight years, during which she anchored prime-time bulletins including the popular NTV Weekend Edition on Sundays.

She made the announcement after presenting the 9:00 p.m. news on Monday, March 9, 2026, saying it was her final bulletin. She expressed gratitude to her colleagues and viewers for their support over the years.

Zainab joined NMG in July 2018, serving in various capacities as a reporter, news anchor, and show host.

Zainab Ismail Exits NTV After 8 Years

During her tenure, she hosted flagship programs such as AM Live, NTV Today, and Your World, eventually rising to the position of senior news anchor for prime-time bulletins.

Beyond her newsroom duties, she has actively mentored young journalists and developed a passion for environment, wildlife, and political reporting.

Before joining NMG, Zainab worked at Ebru TV from March 2016 to June 2018, where she held multiple roles, including reporter, assignment news editor, news anchor, and show host.

Zainab studied journalism at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication from 2011 to 2014, where she was the English news anchor for E.C.N Radio and served as deputy chair of the Chama Cha Kiswahili Cha Taasisi ya Mawasiliano (CHAKITAMA).

She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations & Diplomacy with a focus on Strategic Communications at Riara University.

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Other Notable Journalists Who Have Left NMG Over the Recent Years

Her departure comes amid other notable exits at NMG, including journalists Oliver Mathenge, Roselyne Obala, Smriti Vidyarthi, and Loise Wangui.

Oliver Mathenge left in December 2024 after three years as Managing Editor for Audiences and Engagement, later taking up a role as an editorial and production consultant.

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Roselyne Obala departed in February 2025 from her role as NTV editor for political and assignment news to join the Ministry of Interior in a senior advisory position.

Smriti Vidyarthi, a veteran journalist with over 16 years at NTV, exited in February 2025 after anchoring prime-time bulletins and hosting shows such as NTV Weekend Edition and NTVWild Talk. Loise Wangui concluded her decade-long tenure as an NTV Kiswahili news anchor in September 2025.

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