Popular Kenyan comedian and radio presenter MCA Tricky has set the record straight about his departure from Milele FM after six years at the station, dismissing reports that he voluntarily walked away from his job. The media personality, whose real name is Francis Munyao, revealed that he was actually dismissed while he was in Germany on an engineering exchange programme. His explanation provides a different account of his exit and sheds light on what happened behind the scenes during a significant period in his career. Tricky said he had formally requested unpaid leave before travelling and had no intention of abandoning his position at the station. Despite the unexpected termination, he says he remains grateful to Milele FM for giving him the longest period of employment he has experienced with one employer.
Tricky joined Milele FM in June 2020 and spent six years working at the station, building a strong reputation through his work as a radio presenter and comedian. His time at the broadcaster became an important part of his professional journey as he balanced entertainment with his technical education and career ambitions. The six-year period was particularly meaningful to him because it represented his longest continuous employment with one organisation. His departure therefore came as a major change, especially because he had not planned to leave the station at that point. Tricky has now decided to speak openly about the circumstances surrounding his exit and correct what he believes was an inaccurate public narrative.
Speaking during an appearance on the Tubonge podcast, Tricky explained that his absence from Milele FM was connected to an engineering exchange programme in Germany. The trained mechatronics engineer secured an opportunity to spend three months in Germany as part of a programme that he viewed as important to his professional development and his plans to complete his master’s degree. Rather than simply leaving the country without notifying his employer, he said he formally approached management and requested unpaid leave. He also submitted an invitation letter from the programme to explain the reason for his travel and provide documentation supporting his request. According to Tricky, he believed the arrangement would allow him to pursue the engineering opportunity before returning to his work at the station.
The situation changed while Tricky was already in Germany, where he said he received unexpected news from Milele FM management. He explained that the termination did not come through a personal meeting or telephone conversation but arrived through an email. According to his account, he woke up one morning and discovered a message informing him that the company had decided to let him go. He said the reason given was that the company was experiencing financial difficulties because of his absence. The development left him surprised because he had understood that he was away on approved or formally requested unpaid leave rather than permanently ending his employment.
Tricky strongly objected to the suggestion that he had simply chosen to quit Milele FM. He explained that the public impression that he voluntarily left did not match his experience of what happened. For him, there was an important distinction between choosing to resign and being informed that an employer had terminated his employment while he was abroad. His decision to speak publicly appears aimed at correcting that misunderstanding and ensuring that his audience knows that he did not walk away from the station by choice. The comedian also made it clear that he does not want his explanation to be interpreted as an attack on his former employer.
Despite the circumstances of his departure, Tricky said he has no hard feelings towards Milele FM. He acknowledged that a media organisation is ultimately a business and that companies have to make decisions based on their financial circumstances and operational needs. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities he received during his six years at the station and recognised the role Milele FM played in his professional development. His comments suggest that he has chosen to focus more on the lessons from the experience than on resentment over how his employment ended. That attitude has allowed him to move forward while maintaining appreciation for an important chapter of his career.
One of the biggest lessons Tricky says he has taken from the experience is the importance of having alternative plans instead of depending entirely on one employer. He encouraged his audience to develop additional skills, pursue education and create other opportunities that can provide stability when circumstances change unexpectedly. His own experience illustrates why professionals may benefit from developing several areas of expertise throughout their careers. Tricky has already demonstrated this approach by maintaining interests in comedy, broadcasting, engineering, education and digital media. His message is especially relevant to young professionals who may place all their career expectations on a single job without considering what could happen if that position suddenly disappears.
Tricky’s background in mechatronics engineering is now playing a larger role in his plans for the future. While many people know him primarily as a comedian and radio personality, his technical training has remained an important part of his identity and long-term ambitions. His engineering exchange programme in Germany represents an opportunity to deepen his knowledge while moving closer to completing his master’s degree. He has also continued working on engineering research as he explores ways to combine his technical interests with his experience in media and entertainment. His approach demonstrates that a career does not always have to follow one path and that skills from different industries can eventually complement one another.
Education remains another major priority for Tricky as he plans the next stage of his professional life. He has repeatedly emphasised the importance of education and has argued that talent alone may not be enough to sustain a long-term career. His belief is that talent can create opportunities but education and continuous learning provide the knowledge needed to remain relevant and competitive. That philosophy appears to be influencing his decision to continue with engineering research and pursue his master’s degree while developing new media projects. His journey offers an example of how public figures can continue investing in formal education even after establishing themselves in entertainment.
Beyond engineering, Tricky is preparing for another major move in the media industry with plans to launch his own media platform in October. The upcoming platform is expected to focus on inspiring young Kenyan innovators and engineers while creating space for ideas, technology and professional development. The project could allow him to use the communication skills he developed through radio and comedy in a new setting with a stronger emphasis on innovation and education. It also gives him an opportunity to build something independently rather than relying entirely on traditional media employment. If successful, the platform could become an important extension of Tricky’s career and allow him to connect his entertainment background with his engineering interests.
The planned October launch could mark a new chapter for MCA Tricky after his unexpected departure from Milele FM. His experience at the station gave him six years of valuable exposure in broadcasting while his engineering education has provided another professional foundation. He now appears determined to use both sides of his experience as he develops his next projects. Rather than allowing the end of his radio career at Milele FM to define his professional identity, he is turning his attention towards research, education, digital media and entrepreneurship. His story shows how an unexpected career setback can also create an opportunity to reassess priorities and pursue new directions.
MCA Tricky’s account of his Milele FM exit has therefore added important context to a major transition in his career. He maintains that he did not resign from the station and instead received news of his termination while he was in Germany for an engineering exchange programme after requesting unpaid leave. While the circumstances were unexpected, he has chosen to remain appreciative of the six years he spent at Milele FM and the experience the station gave him. His focus has now shifted towards engineering research, further education and the development of a new media platform aimed at inspiring young Kenyan innovators and engineers. As he prepares for the planned October launch, Tricky’s next chapter could show how his experience in entertainment, broadcasting and engineering can come together to create a new professional path.
