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.”
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| 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. ”
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| 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.
