Former State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, has shared insights into her life after stepping away from the public eye. In an interview with Parents Magazine, Kanze opened up about how retirement has allowed her to focus on her personal life, especially her young marriage.
“I have been good, can’t complain; retirement is good. I miss myself. I have been in the limelight for close to 20 years… now that I am in retirement, I’m not there anymore, I’m rediscovering myself because in media people expect you to behave in a certain way. Sasa ata nikijipata Dubois (a famous marketplace in Nairobi) ni normal,” she said.
Kanze Dena’s Media Career
Kanze Dena was appointed State House Spokesperson in 2017 by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. She served diligently until October 2022, when she handed over the reins to former Citizen TV presenter Hussein Mohammed. Her journey to this top position began during her college days when she went for an attachment at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
“I remember by that time KBC was only taking students from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication. So we forced to be everywhere to avoid being kicked out. I could do news, be an assistant producer, and even recite poems,” she recalled.
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While at KBC, her versatility shone through. She started reading news on KBC Radio Taifa and in one of the days, filled in for an absent news anchor. This opportunity led to her being noticed by the then editor-in-chief, Hirim Mucheke, who encouraged her to continue.
“After a few days, I was taken to TV as a Swahili news anchor, where now my journey on TV started. My first day was very tricky after being paired with Bahati Makusini. While on air, I lost my voice. The struggles went on for some time, but I got better with time,” she shared.
Kanze went on to work with various media houses, including Citizen TV, where she became a beloved figure in Kenyan households.
In her personal life, Kanze Dena married Nick Mararo in an intimate ceremony held at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County. She has kept many details of her life private, including her pregnancy and the birth of her son, out of the public domain.
While reflecting on her current life, Kanze Dena expressed that she is satisfied with the peace retirement has brought, which allows her to rediscover herself and enjoy her marriage away from the pressures of the media spotlight.
