Celebrated journalist and media practitioner Michael Olinga is marking his birthday with heartfelt gratitude, deep reflection, and a renewed commitment to purpose — exactly one year after receiving a life-changing call that abruptly ended his decade-long journey in mainstream media.
In a candid recollection shared with friends and followers, Olinga opened up about the emotional rollercoaster of May 10, 2024 — a day that was supposed to be his first birthday as a husband to his beloved wife, Wairimu Gathungu, turned into a dramatic chapter of professional upheaval.
“I didn’t know how such a day would look like and the memories it would carry,” he writes. “I had worked overtime the whole week to celebrate the day early, only to be invited to a 2 p.m. virtual meeting titled ‘Way Forward’ — code, as it turned out, for a smooth exit.”
Olinga was dismissed from his job during that virtual meeting — a move he described as coldly corporate, citing a string of euphemistic phrases from his bosses, including “restructuring,” “new direction,” and “smooth transition.”
But even as he absorbed the shock, the real heartbreak, he says, came from his wife overhearing every word of the call after his earpiece failed — a moment that pierced deeper than the job loss itself. “She cried, not because I lost the job, but because of how it was done — the timing, the disregard, the dishonesty,” he shared.
Still, the day was not without light. Longtime friend and best man, Man Karis, surprised him with a symbolic pair of shoes during their post-meeting coffee date at Java TRM — a gesture of brotherhood that Michael describes as “a worthy souvenir of solidarity.” The day ended with a surprise home celebration, lovingly prepared by his wife, featuring his favorite dishes and a spirit of resilience.
Over the past year, Olinga chose to pause and rest, resisting the urge to jump back into the grind. “I’d never known how worn out I was,” he admits. “I reclaimed time with family, reconnected with myself, and discovered peace I hadn’t tasted in over 11 years of nonstop newsroom deadlines.”
He also learned hard truths about the transactional nature of professional relationships. “When people realised I was no longer in the ‘position’ they needed, they disappeared. But that was okay,” he says, adding that it only sharpened his understanding of real friendship and purpose.
Today, as he celebrates his birthday a year later, Michael Olinga expresses immense gratitude for his wife’s unwavering support, his family’s love, and the loyal circle of friends who stuck close. He hints at new projects, fresh purpose, and an outlook filled with faith, humour, and humility.
In a light-hearted sign-off, he reminds fans that “the M-Pesa number remains the same” and teases potential future plans — including Kaluma, AG queues, and WhatsApp group renaming ceremonies.
His closing words? “God turns things around so fast that bad memories are neutralised with victories. It’s a happy birthday this year.”
Happy Birthday, Michael Olinga. May your story continue to inspire hope, honesty, and humour in a world that needs it.
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