NAIROBI, Kenya – Popular Kenyan content creator and podcaster Oga Obinna has responded to investigative journalist John-Allan Namu’s criticism of politically funded digital content, insisting that he should not be judged as a traditional journalist.
Obinna defended his work as a commercial media and content-production business, explaining that his company, Obinna TV Studios, focuses on digital productions, entertainment and creative content rather than conventional news reporting.
His response followed Namu’s remarks questioning the practice of podcasters receiving money from politicians to organise events and produce content while presenting their activities as independent journalism.
Namu had raised concerns about the potential impact of such financial arrangements on media independence, particularly ahead of the 2027 General Election.
However, Obinna maintained that his work falls within a different category and that conducting interviews does not automatically make someone a journalist.
“I’m not a journalist. I do have my company. It’s a media company that focuses on just productions. We do content production, meaning our biggest asset is digital assets,” Obinna said.
The media personality explained that his professional activities extend beyond podcast interviews, listing comedy, scripting, music and emceeing among the services he offers.
He argued that his personal brand centres on creating entertainment and digital content rather than conducting the investigations and accountability reporting associated with traditional journalism.
“I interview people because I have a podcast. I script content, I do comedy, I do emceeing, but I have hired journalists. Don’t put me in that space,” he said.
Obinna also clarified that his company employs journalists to handle assignments that require professional journalism skills.
By making the distinction, he sought to separate his role as a content creator and entrepreneur from the work undertaken by journalists within his organisation.
His position is that the existence of interviews and conversations about public figures on his platform does not automatically make every production a journalistic assignment.
Obinna also defended the commercial nature of his work, arguing that running a digital media company involves making money.
He told people to focus on what brought them to Nairobi rather than becoming preoccupied with pleasing others or seeking approval.
“Everyone should do what brought them to Nairobi. I came to look for money, not friends,” he said.
The statement underscored his position that content production is a business and that financial success forms part of operating a media enterprise.
Despite pushing back against the criticism, Obinna expressed respect for Namu, describing the investigative journalist as someone he looks up to.
He acknowledged their different approaches to media work but argued that the industry has changed and that traditional media practitioners should recognise the growth of digital platforms.
“I respect his sentiments because he is the person that I look up to, but we do different things. Times have changed, media has changed, let’s embrace change,” Obinna said.
His response suggested that he viewed the disagreement as a difference in professional identity and approach rather than a personal dispute with Namu.
Namu had criticised what he described as transactional journalism, referring to an unnamed podcaster who allegedly received substantial amounts from a politician to organise an event and subsequently sought money from other contributors.
He questioned the practice of allowing politically financed activities to appear as independent journalism without making the financial arrangements clear to audiences.
