Over the past few years, Trevor Ombija has emerged as a prominent figure in the media industry, becoming one of the finest prime-time news anchors in the country.
Although he is now celebrated in the media industry, Trevor’s early life was filled with hardship, but that never stopped him from pursuing his career.
Now working at Royal Media Services TV stations, Citizen TV and Ramogi TV, Trevor Ombija first worked in the matatu sector, where he earned a living.
Times Digital Kenya takes a closer look at his past career path that saw him move from the transport sector to becoming one of the finest in the media industry.
Trevor Ombija as a conductor
Way before he became one of the popular media personalities in the country, Trevor Ombija worked as a conductor for matatus (minibuses).
While in a past media interview, he disclosed that many people do not actually know about his humble beginnings. He added that during his time as a tout, he operated minibuses within Nyakach, Kisumu.
As such, even now as a news anchor at Citizen TV, Trevor Ombija says he enjoys interacting with boda boda and matatu drivers and conductors because he feels part of them.
“I used to be a matatu conductor in that area (Nyakach) for a long time. Stopping at the bus stage and interacting with boda boda operators and matatu drivers is natural for me because I was one of them.” – Trevor Ombija disclosed.
Professional career and media breakthrough
Thereafter, he left for greener pastures, where he worked as a store clerk at a courier services company. During his time as a clerk, Trevor Ombija’s main role was the maintenance of records that were used for verification during stock-taking periods.
After working at the company for three years, he left for a transport and logistics company, where he worked as an assistant sea exports coordinator.
He worked there for around one year before his media breakthrough in 2012, which saw him join as an assignment desk editor at CCTV-Africa.
After just a year at CCTV-Africa, Trevor Ombija left for Nation Media Group, where he worked as a news presenter until 2018. He was part of the NTV journalists who were headhunted by Citizen TV that year. He joined the Royal Media Services TV station, where he became a senior news anchor and hosts weekly segments, Monday Report and Daybreak, to date.
