Why Fred Machoka Turned Down Citizen TV Job Before Returning From Retirement At 50

Fred Obachi Machoka has recalled how he returned to broadcasting after retirement, despite initially turning down an offer to join Citizen TV.

Machoka shared the story on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, during a special edition of JKLive on Citizen TV.

He said Fred Afune approached him about 23 years ago, when Machoka was 50, and invited him to host a weekend programme at the station.

Machoka had already retired and was not looking to return to broadcasting. He therefore declined the offer when Afune first approached him.

After giving the proposal some thought, however, Machoka changed his mind. He contacted Afune and informed him that he was now willing to take up the opportunity.

The veteran journalist said his decision came with conditions. He agreed to return to broadcasting but made it clear that he wanted to work on terms he was comfortable with.

That decision eventually brought Machoka back to the television screen and began his association with Citizen TV.

His return came after he had already spent years in broadcasting before stepping away from the profession. The offer from Afune therefore gave him an opportunity to resume a career he had thought was behind him.

Machoka’s account showed that his comeback was not something he had planned from the start. He first rejected the opportunity, reconsidered it later and eventually accepted the role.

The revelation was part of a broader conversation about his career during the 50 Years Behind The Mic special on JKLive, hosted by Jeff Koinange and Ayub Abdikadir.

Machoka has spent decades in Kenyan broadcasting and remains one of the familiar personalities associated with the country’s television industry.

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