Nasibo Kabale: Kenyan Media Practioners Rally Behind Former Nation Journalist Living In Streets

• In a span of two years, different Kenyan journalists have come out to ask for help in dealing with mental health disorders
• With many working in fast paced newsrooms, this challenge now poses concerns for every newsroom to come up with strategies that shield reporter's ability to cope mentally
• A new video has emerged of former Nation journalist Nasibo Kabale languishing in the streets after quitting her job due to depression

Mental health has been a point of concern for many, especially for professionals who are required to concentrate, meet deadlines, and maintain creativity.

Why journalists are struggling with mental health

For many journalists, the focus on mental health tends to be kicked to the curb, which in turn ends up affecting their physical health, relationships and daily functioning.

Many have, in the past year, come out to seek help after videos circulated on social media about their mental status.

This has now become a challenge that will require newsrooms to come up with strategies that shield journalists by giving them coping mechanisms that cater to their mental stability.

Dinah Ondari, the Media Council of Kenya's Manager of Press Freedom, Safety, and Advocacy, noted the importance of mental health awareness.

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, she emphasised the need for media houses to consider adding mental health intervention to insurance packages.

"A number of media houses have health insurance for their staff, but very few have made psychosocial support to be part of the package. Even in cases where such services are available, many journalists shy away from speaking out because of the stigma associated with mental health. This means, therefore, that there is a shared obligation between employers and their staff to canvass mental health issues by ensuring that in-house policies recognise and provide for response mechanisms on the one hand, and journalists develop self-consciousness that enables them to seek help as soon as they encounter challenges," she said.

Who is Nasibo Kabale?

A new video of former Nation Media Group journalist Nasibo Kabale living on the streets has emerged, leaving many heartbroken.

The scribe, who was popular with her coverage during the COVID-19 period, has left many wondering what may have resulted in her living on the streets.

In a TikTok video shared by @streetsvibing, Nasibo can be seen holding a knife, which she explains she uses as her weapon while sleeping.

"In 2020, I was given a Presidential Award, so when they fired people, I was among the five people who remained at Nation. So that job started disturbing me, seeing people dying during COVID-19. I was diagnosed with depression. There was a time in the office I felt like dying and was taken to Chiromo Hospital, and that's when they started giving me anti-depressants," she said.

How Nasibo found herself on the streets

The health reporter said she quit her job after noticing her health was deteriorating. She revealed she has never applied for a job in her life.

"Even at Nation, they told me to come with papers and I was told this is your desk. I left Nation because of depression."

Currently, her daughter lives with the father, and she noted how bad she feels not being with the baby as she is homeless.

"Actually, he just saw her on the streets. He was covering stories; he is a famous person. They have bonded, and my baby is in Grade Two. She eats well, she goes to school, but I feel bad that I am not there, she is missing out on a mother's love. It hurts me the most. He (baby daddy) thought it was a disease I had put on myself," she said.

Currently, she survives on jobs like collecting nails and trash from people's homes to earn a living.

Watch the video below:

Here are some of the comments from social media users:

@Marian said:

"Praying for her breakthrough."

@shazel said:

"Aki life. This is one bright soul."

@David said:

"I keep saying life is more spiritual than physical."

@Dalazii said:

"She had friends when working, where are they now? Hii dunia uko pekee yako."

@Shirex said:

"One wrong turn and everything goes black and you remain alone."

How Kimani Mbugua came out to seek help

Elsewhere, former Citizen TV journalist Kimani Mbugua, in a heartbreaking video shared online, disclosed that he was homeless and struggling to make ends meet.

According to Mbugua, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020, followed by a series of events that have since left him in a state of despair.

He asked Kenyans to help him clear his KSh 1.7 million debt and asked if anyone was willing to invest in his idea.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Former Nation journalist Nasibo Kabale speaks after a video of her living in street emerges.

Nasibo Kabale | Meet & Greet With Aisha Khan | HorizonTV Kenya - YouTube

Nasibo Tari (@TariNasibo) / Twitter