Citizen TV broadcaster Immanuel Ndung’u recently attempted to speak Kiswahili live on air for the first time during an interview, leading to a playful backstage exchange with his colleague Mashirima Kapombe.

The moment began when Ndung’u asked a guest about their competitor. "Your relationship with your opponent, is it a healthy rivalry or is there some animosity in between there?" he asked.
Instead of answering directly, the guest issued a challenge: "Maybe you can ask in Swahili?"
"In Swahili? What a challenge, huh
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? So, unaskizana between your opponents or kuna beef?"
— Immanuel Ndung’u
The guest laughed off the phrasing, clarifying that there was no animosity because "sport is sport."

Backstage Banter

Following the segment, a video filmed inside the Citizen TV studio showed Ndung’u excitedly sharing the experience with celebrated Kiswahili newscaster Mashirima Kapombe.
"Today I spoke Swahili for the first time on air," Ndung’u said in the clip.
A curious Kapombe asked him: "Wow, ulisema nini?"
"That was just one word."

— Mashirima Kapombe

Mashirima Kapombe // Instagram

After hearing the phrasing, Kapombe pointed out that he had barely spoken the language, noting: "That was just one word."
Ndung’u quickly defended his attempt by counting on his fingers. "Two words. Halafu nilisema ama uko na beef. How many words is that? Four words," he replied.

He ended the exchange with a bold prediction for his broadcasting career. "Siku moja nitakua na Mashirima Kapombe Nipashe," Ndung’u declared, promising he would one day anchor the prime-time Kiswahili bulletin alongside her.

immmanuelnd // Instagram

Social Media Reactions
The clip generated widespread amusement among Kenyan social media users, who shared humorous reactions to Ndung’u’s mixed phrasing.
  • _josh1.0: "A disappointed Swahili teacher😂"
  • aminamunamo: "Mwenzangu, yangu is wild!!!😅😅😅😅"
  • managing_the_stage_: "'Jambo kila mtu' is nasty Business 😭😂☠️"
  • phylisperisgathoni: "E for effort, but mwenzangu yangu sounds illegal."
  • Mashirima_kapombe: Nisikusikie tena ukisema "mwenzangu yangu"😂 (tagging Immanuel)😂 Sasa upate wageni wengine kama hao uendelee kujifunza
Moments like these offer a refreshing peek behind the scenes, reminding viewers that newsrooms are full of personality and unscripted humor. As the clip continues to circulate, it clear that taking a bold leap on live television—no matter how brief—can quickly win over the internet.