- Lulu Hassan revealed her early struggles in journalism, including a rejection from KBC.
- Her mother played a significant role in shaping her dream of becoming a TV presenter.
- She started as a receptionist before landing a job at Radio Salaam.
- A KBC media personality told her she didn’t have a good voice for TV.
- Despite the setback, she secured her first TV job at KTN at age 20.
- She later rose to fame as a top Swahili news anchor alongside Kanze Dena.
- Today, she co-hosts news with her husband, Rashid Abdalla, on Citizen TV.
Famous TV presenter and journalist Lulu Hassan has opened up about the challenges she faced at the beginning of her media career, including a painful rejection from KBC.
Speaking in an interview with Jeff and Nick, Lulu recalled how her journey in journalism was inspired by her late mother, who always believed she would one day be on television.
“When I was young, I used to bring newspapers to my mother. Before giving them to her, I would read them aloud. She was so impressed with my English that she told me, ‘One day, you’ll be on TV,’” Lulu shared.
Her First Steps in Media
Lulu’s career started humbly—first as a receptionist before landing a job at Radio Salaam. However, she never settled; instead, she pursued further education while seeking better opportunities in television.
Her first major opportunity came when she went for a screen test at KBC. Unfortunately, this became one of the most heartbreaking moments in her career.
Lulu revealed that a well-known KBC media personality—who is still at the station today—chased her away, claiming that she did not have a good voice for television.
Turning Rejection into Motivation
Despite the rejection, Lulu remained determined. At just 20 years old, she landed her first TV job at KTN, where she quickly gained popularity.
Her breakthrough came when she joined Citizen TV, where she co-anchored the popular ‘Nipashe Wikendi’ news segment alongside Kanze Dena. The show became one of the most-watched news programs in Kenya.
When Kanze Dena left, her husband Rashid Abdalla took over, making them the first married couple to co-anchor news in Kenya.
Today, Lulu Hassan is one of the most celebrated journalists in Kenya, proving that rejection is not the end of the road. From being told she didn’t have the right voice for TV to becoming a household name, her journey is an inspiration to many aspiring journalists.
