Former Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju, on Thursday night, made a surprise return to television screens.
Tuju stepped back behind the KTN news desk in a broadcast that drew nostalgic reactions from viewers. The veteran broadcaster-turned-politician joined the prime-time crew as part of the station’s 35th anniversary celebrations.
As part of the milestone, the network has rolled out a commemorative series dubbed #KTNLegends, featuring media personalities who were part of its early years.
Tuju, once among the country’s most recognisable news anchors, was captured walking into the KTN control room before greeting staff members and chatting with the production team.
He then took his seat at the anchor’s desk, revisiting a role he first held in the 1990s when he was a familiar face on screen.
“Tonight, Hon Raphael Tuju joins Jesse Rodgers and Ashley Mazuri,” the station announced, sparking online chatter even before he went on-air.
When the bulletin began, viewers noted his composed delivery and confident presence that marked his early career. For many Kenyans, the moment carried both nostalgia and reflection.
“Seeing Raphael Tuju anchoring again is like travelling back in time,” one viewer posted on X, among many nostalgic reactions.
Others commended him for maintaining his presentation skills, while some expressed surprise at his on-air return.
"KTN@35 Legends edition. Tuju still got it," another viewer wrote.
"I’m shocked, not by the news, but seeing Tuju reading news," a Facebook user commented.
Tuju holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communications from the University of Leicester in the UK.
He began his media career as a journalist at the state-run Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (then known as the Voice of Kenya, VOK).
In 1990, when KTN launched, he became one of its first on-air news anchors, regarded as the station’s “first” newsreader.
His anchor style was known for calm delivery, clear diction, and a strong command of English, earning him national recognition in the early 1990s.
After leaving the station in the late 1990s, Tuju pursued documentary production before joining public service.
He later became a Cabinet minister and eventually served as Jubilee Party Secretary General, taking up key roles in national politics.
Tuju’s reappearance is the first in a planned lineup featuring former presenters and editors who were part of the station’s journey.
