Ferdinand Omondi – Journalist at BBC Africa

Ferdinand Omondi is a Kenyan journalist who works for BBC Africa as the Kenya Correspondent. He joined the BBC as the Mombasa Reporter in 2014, before taking up the new role in December last hear.

Experience

Ferdinand’s career as a journalist spans 12 years in radio, television and online reporting.  Before joining the BBC he was KTN’s and NTV’s Senior Coast Reporter between 2012-2014. In that period, he was at the front line of the Tana River Conflict, the war on Terror and extensively brought Coastal Kenya’s tourism and cultural developments and challenges. He was named Tourism Reporter of the Year in 2014 by the Media Council of Kenya.

Ferdinand’s journalism has also taken him to all 47 counties of Kenya during NTV’s Premier News Magazine, The County Edition, soon after the promulgation of the constitution of Kenya in 2010. He also worked for NTV as a Sports News Anchor and Reporter.

He started his career as a radio news reader for Y FM, now HOT 96, in 2006, before being appointed Citizen TV’s sports anchor 3 months later.

Notable Achievements.

Ferdinand has over 7 journalism awards and certificates across various journalism genres, including Tourism, Environment, Culture, and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting.

Besides having visited all 47 counties in Kenya, his journalism has also taken him to at least 7 countries, and has been honored to interview many movers and shakers, from politicians to activists to Sports icons like Tennis Star Serena Williams.

How I Stay At The Top

It’s a simple mantra; keep moving, keep learning. When he started as a sports journalist and wanted to make the move to hard news, many discouraged him, saying it was difficult. But he was determined, and he did it and flourished. Ferdinand plays to his biggest strength, versatility. He reports fluently in English and Kiswahili, for radio, television and online platform.  He stays updated with the latest trends in journalism and is almost always restless. He isn’t afraid of taking on new challenges, and has always assessed and grabbed opportunities. He doesn’t regret, he learns from his mistakes.

Advice To My Younger Self

You’ve heard it before. Do not postpone to tomorrow what you can do today. And never get comfortable. When you do, it’s time for something new. Be in control, or else something or someone else will take control, and you may not like the result.

Qualifications

Ferdinand has a Diploma in Mass Communication from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, and has since advanced his journalism with numerous training’s and workshops from independent outlets and the BBC Academy.