BASETT AINSWORTH BUYUKAH
Nairobi,Kenya
Summary
A consummate communications professional, media personality, journalist, motivational speaker, emcee and public speaker. More than two decades of experience in the public sector as well as private sector, encompassing the broad expanse of the communication milieu. A well rounded team player eager to embrace new challenges and opportunities and an without-the-box philosophical thinker and problem-solver
Results-oriented individual with a passion for continuous learning and innovation. Known for leveraging analytical thinking and creativity to solve problems and deliver high-impact solutions in fast-paced environments.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Publicity and Advocacy
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2011 - 12.2024
- Company Overview: Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kenya
- Develop, implement and review policies and strategies relating to publicity, advocacy, communications and public education on nuclear electricity in Kenya.
- Plan, organize and execute stakeholder meetings, forums and activities and other advocacy measures.
- Performance management and supervision of staff within the Directorate.
- Develop, prepare and implement the budget for all communications related activities.
- Establish a nuclear resource and documentation centre on nuclear electricity.
- Develop the organization’s corporate image through branding, merchandise development and presence.
- Co-ordination of the Board Committee responsible for communications and advocacy.
- Training of the Executive Committee in media relations and strategic Communications.
- Crafting speeches and talking points that strategically pitch and communicate effectively on the organization, its vision, mission and objectives.
- Develop aesthetically appealing and impactful presentations.
- Generate opinion pieces, advertorials, press releases and articles for publication in various media platforms.
- Manage the organisation’s social media footprint on the web and platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, X et.al. to positively project the organization.
- Preparation, editing and publication of the organization’s Annual Report.
- Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kenya
- Developed and spearheaded execution of the organization’s Communication Strategy.
- Pivotal in lobbying for the passage of the Energy Act 2019 and Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Act 2019 by Parliament.
- Developed a comprehensive database of nuclear related institutions and persons through a stakeholder mapping approach.
- Created and launched a website for the organization.
- Proactively ensuring Social media presence on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
- Undertook media and strategic communications tutelage for the Executive Committee(ExCom) and Board of the organization.
- Published various opinion pieces in print and online media; and a panelist in interviews on radio, television and X spaces.
- Organised stakeholder Forums to train, inform and educate on nuclear electricity.
- Launched a logo and developed a corporate charter: Vision, Mission and Core Values, for the organization.
- Trained staff in media relations, communication skills and presentation.
- Raised profile of nuclear electricity in Kenya through the print and electronic media.
- Undertook various Corporate Social Responsibility/Investment initiatives.
- Carried out various sustainability initiatives in line with the sustainable development goals.
- Editorial Director for award winning organisational Newsletter: The Fission magazine.
Media Consultant
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2010 - 12.2011
News Editor
NTV
01.2007 - 09.2009
- Supervising production of all bulletins.
- Developing and maintaining a comprehensive database of newsmakers, political and corporate personalities and government officials and agencies.
- Supervise uploading of multimedia content to the NTV website and the YouTube portal ensuring quality control, variety, relevance and recency.
- Obtain and maintain background information on a variety of stories or issues.
- Coaching and mentoring staff and facilitating continuous development for serving journalists on various beats.
- Fire marshall.
- Oversaw development and content for NTV’s YouTube portal as the pioneer Kenyan station.
- Revamped news production processes by use of file transfer protocol to hasten video processing between Nairobi and other towns in Kenya as well as reporters filing stories from overseas.
- Part of team that developed a house style for news packaging, presentation and gathering.
- Hosted special talkshow series during the 2008 post-election crisis to help end the stalemate.
News Anchor, Host for NTV’s Talkshow programmes
NTV
09.2003 - 12.2006
- News Anchor and Studio Host for live news events, primetime news and breaking news.
- Identifying guests who are well oriented in the topic chosen for debate.
- Engaging invited guests in a one hour format talkshow with incisive, candid and well researched questions.
- Served as the main anchor at NTV for Kenya’s Elections 2007 coverage working shifts of upto 12 hours over the period between polling day on 27th December 2007 and the Declaration of results on 30th December 2007.
- Covered the historic 2008 US Elections between September and November 2008 attending Democrat and Republican campaign rallies, Presidential debates and caucuses in various battleground states.
- Hosted popular TV talkshows such as On the Spot, Showdown and Mashujaa.
Senior Reporter
NTV
09.2003 - 12.2006
- Conducting interviews with news sources.
- Carrying out live links with guests on location for both Television and radio.
- Conceptualising, planning and producing feature segments for airing as per schedules.
- Writing scripts for news, docudramas, documentaries and feature programmes.
- Supervising and directing location shooting of footage, capturing appropriate sound bites and ensuring equipment is in proper working order.
- Previewing and sequencing footage and directing video editing of material.
- Developing, cultivating and maintaining a network of key contacts in Kenya and the East African political and socio-economic circles.
- Refined the station’s template for coverage of live events, reducing turnaround time and efficiency by using elaborate checklists and enhancing crosschecks and standard operating procedures.
Reporter
Nation Media Group
08.2002 - 12.2002
- Company Overview: Nation Newspapers Division
- Writing stories for print as assigned from diary.
- Writing analytical/opinion pieces.
- Writing critiques on issues of governance, corruption, development and leadership for print.
- Writing feature stories.
- Sourcing, backgrounding and publishing investigative pieces/exposés.
- Nation Newspapers Division
- Cut my niche reporting on politics, current affairs and governance issues.
Customer Service Executive
British Airways
Nairobi, Kenya
08.1995 - 12.2000
- Working to achieve set customer service delivery standards.
- Attaining and surpassing sales and revenue targets.
- Coordinating with sales and marketing in Events and Public relations functions organisation.
- Reviewing and updating Emergency Contingency Planning procedures for the Nairobi station.
- Fire marshall.
- Attained customer service and sales targets for three years running.
- Participated in preparing framework for contingency planning and business continuity for the Nairobi office.
- Member of the Y2K team for the Millennium Change Project.
- Received various awards for detecting fraudulent tickets presented for travel.
Education
MBA - MEDIA LEADERSHIP – Thesis Stage
UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA
Postgraduate Diploma - Mass Communication
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
Certificate - Management Studies
OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - French, English Lit.
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
Skills
- Stakeholder engagement
- Policy writing
- Media relations
- Budget management
- Strategic communications
- Public relations
- Social media strategy
- Project management
- Event planning
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
- Presentation development
- Creative problem solving
- Problem-solving
- Script review and revision
- People management
- Employee development
- Team building
- Crisis management
- Corporate communications
- Strategic planning
- Fundraising events
- Investor relations
Languages
- English
- French
- Swahili
- Spanish (oral)
- Japanese (oral)
- German (oral)
References
- Joe Ageyo, Editor in Chief, Nation Media Group, P O Box 49010, Nairobi, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya, 0720 423849, jageyo@gmail.com, jageyo@ke.nationmedia.com
- Dr Winfred Ndubai, Director, Strategy and Planning, Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kenya, P O Box 26374, Nairobi, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya, 0722 651488, wndubai@nuclear.co.ke, wndubai@gmail.com
- Mr Raphael Mworia, Manager Corporate Communications, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), P O Box 34942, Nairobi, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya, 0722741237, 0702949951, rmworia@ketraco.co.ke
Hobbies and Interests
- Creative writing
- Philately
- Travel
- Sport
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 09/26/72
- Nationality: Kenyan
Mobile Tel
0722 747109
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
French
Advanced
C1
Swahili
Proficient
C2
Spanish
Intermediate
B1
Timeline
Director, Publicity and Advocacy
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency
01.2011 - 12.2024
Media Consultant
01.2010 - 12.2011
News Editor
NTV
01.2007 - 09.2009
News Anchor, Host for NTV’s Talkshow programmes
NTV
09.2003 - 12.2006
Senior Reporter
NTV
09.2003 - 12.2006
Reporter
Nation Media Group
08.2002 - 12.2002
Customer Service Executive
British Airways
08.1995 - 12.2000
MBA - MEDIA LEADERSHIP – Thesis Stage
UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA
Postgraduate Diploma - Mass Communication
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
Certificate - Management Studies
OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - French, English Lit.
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY