Due to his excellent football commentary abilities and Swahili fluency, Kassim Mohammed has established a name for himself outside Kisii county.

Kassim Mohammed

In an interview, the 21-year-old journalism student praised his sixth-grade instructor for helping him develop his Swahili.

Mohammed has had a challenging upbringing, but he keeps working hard at his art in the hopes of a better future.

Mohammed was born in Jogoo, Kisii County, and enrolled in Kiogo Mixed Secondary School after finishing Jogoo Primary School.

At Jogoo Primary School, he discovered his aptitude for journalism, which his Swahili teacher supported through mentoring.

"I fell in love with Kiswahili in class six thanks to my guru, the late Yobesh Anyona. At that time, I began reading picture books and fell in love with Kiswahili, said Mohammed. 

Mohammed joined Kisii Town's Elgon View College after completing his secondary schooling, where he is currently studying journalism.

However, he is begging well-wishers to contribute to boosting school tuition, which is problematic.

I struggle to raise school fees because I don't come from a wealthy home. I'm not sure if I'll finish my studies, but I'm praying that God would provide opportunities," he stated.

Although several significant and local radio stations have interviewed him, he has yet to receive a job offer, he said.

The ambitious journalist makes comments for neighbourhood soccer matches and competitions to collect money for food, personal expenses, and other necessities.

Rashid Abdalla, a news anchor for Citizen TV, and Stephen Mukangai, a sports presenter for Radio Maisha, were cited by Mohammed as two of his industry role models.

Kassim is the second boy who has stepped up to showcase what he possesses, especially in radio and broadcast journalism, after Charles Kwangwana, who is now studying journalism at the Kenya Institute Of Mass Communication in Nairobi as a result of showcasing his talent and capability