Kanze Dena
Kanze Dena
Kellen Beatrice Kanze Dena, popularly known as Kanze Dena, is one of the most sought after Swahili journalists in Kenya. She is a News Anchor and News director for Citizen TV anchoring Citizen Nipashe and Citizen Wikendi [undefined]. She is a God-fearing woman who is always encouraging young ladies and those troubled, with Scriptures and motivational talks and posts [undefined] [undefined] [undefined] [undefined].
BACKGROUND
With her father leaving at an early age of four, she was single handedly brought up by her mother, Jane Dena [undefined].
Jane, despite the several challenges remained an unflinching support to her daughter till she finally died in 2007, a year after she was diagnosed of cancer.
9 years after her death, Kanze wrote a tribute to her mother [undefined].
She met her father, later on in her life [undefined].
Kanze grew up both in Embu of Nairobi and Mazeras of Mombasa because her mother worked in two different places [undefined]. She was born into the Duruma subtribe of Mijikenda in Kwale County [undefined] [undefined]. She is the fourth born of a family of six.
Educational Grounding
Kanze Dena is a product of the Foundation College of Professional Studies at Jamii Sacco Court, South B in Nairobi County.
She studied Journalism and Mass Communication [undefined].
She attended high school at Kyeni Girls High School in Embu. She was a talented actor, taking the spotlight during drama festivals. In standard seven, she was appointed the School’s Head Girl [1] [undefined].
She had her basic education at the St Matthew's Kianjokoma Boarding School in Embu [undefined].
Whilst in High School, Kanze developed a low self-esteem mainly because of the rapid changes her body developed [undefined].
Work Experience
Kanze took her first job as a waitress after High School.
After College, she worked as an i ntern at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)**** [undefined]**** [undefined]. Her lovely voice landed her the role of reading bulletins on KBC radio after successfully passing a voice test [undefined]. She worked at KBC from 2003 to 2006 [undefined].
In 2007 she joined Citizen TV [undefined]. She is currently the News Anchor, News Director and Producer at Citizen TV.
She is also a natural actress (could act very well when in high school and after high school), inspirational writer, blogger and a model, serving as a motivation to many [undefined] [undefined] [undefined] [undefined].
Life History
Kanze Dena has since her High School days, suffered from issues of low-self esteem.
Whilst working as a waitress after High School, she got pregnant with her boyfriend and resulted to drinking alcohol as a means to deal with her issues.
Her efforts to keep this from her mother failed because news of her delivery at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital was dispersed.
Unfortunately, her baby girl, Natasha, died at three months.
This plunged her deeper into low self-esteem and depression and as a result attempted her first suicide.
She joined the Nairobi Baptist Church after this incidence and began opening up about her depression [undefined] [undefined] [undefined].
Whilst at KBC, she conceived the second time, miscarried and became pregnant 7 months later .
With this, her struggles with depression set in again and did cause her to attempt her second suicide.
However, the cries of her baby boy interrupted just as she took a Knife and slit her wrist.
She contemplated quitting church but was encouraged to stay [undefined] [undefined].
Her third and final suicide attempt happened whilst at a retreat on the coast of Mombasa.
In an interview this was her reason, “I would come on air and read the news on a happy mood but inside i would be struggling with low self esteem. I have questioned myself several times if i am a good mother to my son who is now 9 years.” [10]
Family Life
She is a single mother of one.
Her son, Amani, is revealed to be the number one man in her life [undefined].
Interesting Facts
A Banana Pedlar by name Comrade Albert Nyakundi Amenya, wrote a love letter to Kanze.
He wholeheartedly professed his undying love for her, stating explicitly that he couldn't leave without her.
He used pet names such as "Queen", 'Babe" and 'Sweetie" amongst others [undefined].
Kanze never married after she broke up with her college boyfriend but is believed to be in a relationship with Francis Mwangi [undefined].
Kanze was mentored by Badi Muhsin, a News reader at KBC for 3 years [undefined].
Gallery
Photos of Kanze at work
Lulu Hassan, a colleague and friend
President Uhuru Kenyatta
Beautiful photos of Kanze
Kanze's son
Kanze's siblings
Kanze Dena with Francis Mwangi
Kanze Dena back in Kianjokoma Boarding