AGE IS BUT A NUMBER, TALENT IS EVERYTHING

She may not be known to many but she is an icon when it comes to young media personalities.  Her presence in the media arena is not only something to behold but also a shockwaves to seasoned radio journalists in the coastal region.

Talk active at a young age her father likened her to a radio. A character that has seen her be the youngest radio news anchor in the coastal region.

Momo Kalume born on 29th September 1987 has already secured an edge in an increasingly competitive field. Her journalistic knack makes you not to miss any details as she reads news. Her exceptional skills and fresh crystal voice may make one think she has been around for long but as she says, it has just been three years in the game.

“I started anchoring news in 2011 after completing my attachment at Bahari fm owned by Royal Media Services. This was soon after completing my studies in September 2010. It was for three months but I got a one month extension before I was retained as a sports anchor and later news anchor.”

Born in Kinango Kwale County, the second born in a family of four always found herself watching news on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). Unlike other children who will cry to watch cartoons, she always wanted to watch news.

This was something that her peers found boring and would always result into a fight.  To her defence she says it was Kanze Dena’s way of anchoring news that she liked most and consequently Kanze became her greatest inspiration.

“My greatest inspiration in this field would be Kanze Dena. I have always loved Kanze’s way of anchoring ever since she was at KBC when I was a small child. I would always sit with my dad to watch her read news and I would always stand before a mirror and imitate her.”

Her ambitions to be like Kanze Dena, made her think about media as early as she completed primary education. However she was lost on what course to pursue for she did not know what journalism was.

“Media was on my mind when I completed primary school, I really wanted to be like Kanze unfortunately I never knew what course journalism was.” She says as she laughs off her lack of knowledge back then when she was a child.

Despite having shown interest to be a media personality, her journey wasn’t a clear path for her father had a different dream for her. He wanted her to be an IT technician. She heed to her father’s advice but not for long.

“My daddy always wanted me to be an IT technician. So I studied it at Kisumu Polytechnique for two years before realizing my passion was in media.”

Bahari fm's News team: Salim Barissa, Momo Kalume and Babu Abdalla

 When asked what challenges she faces as a young news anchor. “Da Momo” as her fans call her, says Veterans always subdue young talents.

“It is challenging to be the youngest news anchor, veterans feel like you are  a threat to them and make you feel you are not good enough” she says adding that despite it all her  big voice has come in handy to  see her overcome the challenges; a reason to be  proud of her  God given asset.

To her age is but a number and veterans should accept new talents despite ones age, for it is not all about the age but the talent.

“It does not matter what age you have. The world is looking for fresh talent. If you have what it takes why not give it a try? People should not let intimidation from the elderly take their dreams down the drain.”

 Apart from rivalry from veteran journalists Momo says Media is a very competitive field and one has to be at their A game all the time.

 “Each day new and fresh voiced journalists emerge so you always have to up your game to survive in this field. If you don’t like changing with time and be at the same speed with the world, media is not the best place to be for you. ” 

Farida Ali and Momo Kalume in studio

The achievement she has made so far is but a tip of the ice berg. She says there is more to come as she is on a journey to achieve her childhood dream.

“I am not there yet and keep watching this space for there is more to come, Despite all odds  I have to achieve my childhood dream.” says Momo with a hopeful smile.

To the young aspiring to be radio journalists Momo had a word for them.  She says they should not expect to make it easily for success does not come on a silver plate and should not let negative people pull them down.

“Competition is high and if you have a passion for media just follow your dreams. You will meet negative people at a point in your life but never ever let them put you down; if you know u have the voice and creativity go for it. Also have it mind God is always there and all things are possible if you believe in him.” She concludes.