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Lucy Wangui couldn't believe her luck when, after interrupting Deputy President William Ruto's speech at PCEA Makongeni Church, Kiambu on November 24, 2019, one of his aides handed her a blue envelope with Ksh 50,000 on the spot.

Her life since she made the passionate appeal to Ruto, however, has been anything but blissful.

Wangui, whose 14-year-old son was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and requires surgery, was arrested on Tuesday, February 4 and is set to be charged at the Thika Law Courts on February 5. She will be charged with giving false information after she filed a missing child report at Makongeni Police Station, Thika under OB No 50/01/02/2020 following a dramatic eviction on the night of Saturday, February 1.

Wangui, who on January 19 opened up to Kenyans.co.ke on how her landlady allegedly defrauded her of Ruto's donation and subsequently forcefully evicted her.

On Wednesday, February 5, she told this writer how the saga reached a boiling point as she found herself sleeping in a police cell. 

The woman had claimed that after the Sunday service where Ruto gave her the money, well-wishers raised an extra Ksh 17,000. It was then, Wangui alleged, that her landlady identified as Jane Wanjiku Nyambura offered to hold on to the envelope for her as the area was crowded and she could easily lose it.

Noting that she considered the landlady a close friend having lived close to each other, Wangui allegedly handed her the money. Wangui further claimed, however, that efforts to have Nyambura return the money in subsequent weeks were futile and the landlady soon sent a group of men to forcefully evict her despite not owing rent arrears.

"The deputy county commander had on Thursday (January 30) ordered me and the landlady to go to the rent tribunal and for her to give me a notice if she wanted to kick me out but she did not listen. I had all my papers ready to go to court.

"She sent some men to evict me on Saturday, the same men who had tried to break my door previously. They were looking for a phone with recordings and pictures I had of them when they tried to break my door. My son Peter had the phone.

"Peter started nose-bleeding and I decided to take him to hospital and get away from that drama. But when I was running out with him, one of the men snatched him and they went in the other direction. I went to Makongeni Police Station and filed a missing child report," Wangui claimed in a conversation with Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, January 5.

She searched for her son from Saturday until she approached the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who tracked the phone Peter had to Broadways High School on the morning of Tuesday, February 3. The phone had been switched off since Saturday and came on that morning.

Wangui further claimed that upon arrival at the school, the principal informed them that Peter had been dropped off at the school on Tuesday morning by men on a motorbike.

Her son accompanied Wangui to Makongeni Police Station to record a statement. Wangui, who had identified the alleged kidnapper and her landlady, was however arrested and accused of giving false information.

Wangui insisted that she was telling the truth, noting that Peter still had civilian clothing as of Wednesday and had not been in school until he was dropped off by the alleged kidnappers on Saturday, February 1.

Frustrated and on the verge of breaking down, she wondered if there was a conspiracy against her as she traced back her woes to her landlady.

"You can see Peter right now is still wearing home clothes. The principal said they brought him on a motorbike. Why are they saying I'm lying?

"He is supposed to be in hospital tomorrow. What's wrong? Where do they want to take him," she posed.

Wangui was at the Thika Law Courts waiting to be arraigned by the time of publication.

Watch a video of Wangui interrupting Ruto's speech in November 2019 below:

Jason Dunford once flew Kenya's flag high at the global stage, representing the country as a swimmer in the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics.

Dunford famously held the Olympic record in the 100-metres butterfly for a few minutes in 2012 as he qualified for the semi-finals in a time of 51.14. His time was, however, bettered by swimmers including American Michael Phelps.

Dunford finished fifth in the finals with a time of 51.47. Since his retirement from the sport after the Commonwealth Games in 2014, however, Dunford's story has taken an incredible turn that has seen him ditch the pool for studios and stages.

As a matter of fact, he quit his job as a journalist with the BBC East Africa Bureau to focus on making hits. In a conversation with Kenyans.co.ke on Sunday, February 2, Dunford revealed details of how he ventured into journalism and, now, music.

After his retirement in 2014, Dunford spent time in corporate America and later enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business to get his MBA having earlier attained a BA in Human Biology and an MSc in Earth Systems from Stanford University.

He also founded a company, Safi Analytics, with his wife and made the decision to return to Kenya.

Having developed a keen interest in the media industry, Dunford had started his own online talk show and soon secured an opportunity to work as a business journalist with the BBC East Africa Bureau.

He would eventually leave this arguably lucrative gig when the music bug bit him.

Dunford intimated that it was Romantico, a former Mexican priest who fuses Reggaeton with urban Kenyan sounds, who convinced him to get in the studio.

"I had heard him (Romantico) on an interview on Kiss FM and it was weird to see this guy doing Reggaeton.

"Then one day we were doing a story on fitness culture and gym entrepreneurs in Nairobi and I found him at the gym and we started talking. He told me I should record a song, at first I wasn't convinced but I told myself 'let me go, I'll learn even if it's only from a journalistic perspective'," he disclosed.

The first song they recorded was Mbaya, with Dunford adopting the stage name Samaki Mkuu which loosely translates to 'Big fish', a sly reference to his swimming prowess.

Since then, they have released other popular singles including Baila Baila which features legendary Kenyan artist Jua Cali and their most recent gengetone single, Tiki Tiki.

Dunford disclosed that they had at least four unreleased music videos and were planning a show with the veteran group Jabali Africa later this month.

"We have four videos that we are yet to release and we also have a show with Jabali Africa on February 29.

"With Jabali Africa, it's more of a fusion of African sounds with the Reggaeton, Gengetone and Rap we've been doing," he noted.

Dunford is also an actor and is featured in three international movies being shot in the country.

In addition, he is involved in community projects including a newly-established school in Nairobi's Kibra area.

Dunford noted that even while in corporate America, he always envisioned his future in Kenya having grown up here and represented the country internationally.

Bold, unperturbed and relentless are three words that can describe former NTV crime and investigative reporter, Steve Juma. He describes himself as the voice of the voiceless and various stories he covered ascertain this.



Juma, currently Tana River County director of communications, spoke exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke and it was the also the first time the guru opened up on life after media and the near-death experiences he had while on NTV assignments.



On Tuesday, January 28, Juma, who worked alongside NTV's new special projects editor, Dennis Okari, emotionally detailed how he was thrown into boots of cars severally and was even threatened with death, all in the name of chasing the truth. However, this did not deter him from the pursuit of justice.

"I experienced daring incidents where I had to deal with criminals to give me information and some of them still haunt me today. I worked with Okari on a documentary dubbed Siri ya Uhalifu that placed me in the Directorate of Criminal Investigation's radar. The officers were always asking for the identity of my sources. But as a journalist, I had to protect them for they also threatened to murder me if I would sell them out.



"I received numerous threats from the police and I even informed Nation Media Group of my woes. I had to live smart," the celebrated journalist narrated.



Juma who covered landmark stories such as lawyer Willy Kimani's murder case, the Moi Girl's School (Nairobi) fire, the late IEBC ICT director Chris Msando's murder case amongst many others, detailed that his life was affected by his career as many people avoided him, even when he was in trouble, because they thought that he was out to investigate them.



"I could not be at a police station as they'd see like I am investigating a matter. There is a time I went to report a traffic offence committed against me and no one wanted to see me at the OB desk. I was rushed to The OCPDs office to sign a visitors book," Juma recalled.



He went on to rally for more support for journalists, especially those in the investigative departments, lamenting that many who assaulted journalists walked scot-free.



"My life was in danger many times. I made enemies in duty. For those who have been threatening journalists in the past, maybe their cases are gathering dust at the police station. No one has ever been arrested or jailed. There are several journalists out there who have been threatened several times and it has become a way of life. Usually, nothing is done on those who issue threats and police never follow up on complaints which leave the reporters apprehensive. It's true that no story is worth any journalist's life but it is worth noting that there are explosive pieces that are left alone, because no reporter is sure of their safety.



"There is also no proper counselling for journalists who have witnessed terror incidents. They are the first in the line of duty, especially camera personnel. Journalistic bodies should do more than they are doing. Journalists go through a lot and at the end, someone fires you. Think about that depression. That's why even police officers commit suicide due to the depression," Juma urged.

For him, he was lucky to have gone through counselling through a Nation Media Group initiative. Juma also urged the Media Council of Kenya to enhance its fight for journalists. 

"Even though the MCK is not a prosecuting body, in my view, it's toothless compared to other professional bodies like the Law Society of Kenya which goes out to paralyze court processes when atrocities are committed against one of their own. Another lot of journalists, county corresponds are treated as second class journalists yet are sources of the news from the counties. They need to be equipped in terms of tools and finances. It's unfortunate that some of these reporters suffer in silence," Juma argued. 

He further, bemoaned the state of investigative journalism in Kenya, arguing that it was dead and little is being done to speak for the poor voices.



"My concern is that investigative journalism died a long time ago. If you want to speak against the government, then you are tagged anti-government. That's why currently, we do not hear of land grabbing cases, or fraud cases being exposed. Do you think something is not happening? I believe in the near future a big scandal will explode.



"I used to do a segment known as Sauti ya Haki. I spoke for the voiceless. Poor people suffer, they are guilty until proven otherwise. The innocent are also murdered ruthlessly. The police should observe the rule of law and follow the stipulated procedures while dealing with anyone," he cried out.



Juma exited NTV in August 2018, upon being appointed to the County Government of Tana River by Governor Dhadho Godhana. Juma disclosed that the transition was not easy as he was switching from a professional field to a political field.

"It is a political office that is very challenging, but I had a way to respond to that. I adjusted but for a crime investigative reporter, you walk around and people still have that mentality that you want to investigate and spy. You deal with politicians and you have to be cautious of how to deal with them.



"Running the itinerary is also challenging, it has to be flexible. You overwork and there are no working hours. No one denies you that but you have to avail yourself. You have to deal with constituents and counter critics, because you are the spokesperson of the county. You also have to witness incidents forehand. You have to rush to fire incidents as a normal journalist," Juma informed.

Our sources at Tana River County, lauded the journalist for his impecable work ethic and his bond with the governor, asserting that he still fights for the rights of journalists and the disadvantaged in the society.

"The director copes well with everyone, from the management to the constituents. He has also ensured that the MCAs are kept under check and balance. There was a time he defended journalists who were thrown out of the county assembly and the matter is still pending at the MCK. He has also exposed them for rumours on budgets," our contact described Juma. 

One striking character that hits you when you tune to Citizen TV's hit show, Maria, is the sharp-dressing of the show's most sought-after boyfriend, Sir Luwi Hausa, (played by Brian Ogana).

The impeccable suits might be provided for by the show's styling department but, as Kenyans.co.ke learned in an exclusive interview with the star, the style comes from Ogana's love for garments.

Perched on Imenti House in Nairobi is an apparel business that the star launched in 2015 which has served influential people including Members of Parliament and highly acclaimed musicians.

"On the side, I have a sartorial business. This entails a service in which a client comes with their cloth material of choice, gives us their specifications and we knit a suit or cloth of their choice.

"I can't mention names but I have dressed a lot of people, Members of Parliament, gospel singers among others," explained the star.

Like any other businessman in Nairobi, Ogana was coy to disclose both the amount he pours into the business or makes from it, but assured that it was a tidy sum.

"I make a substantial amount. I make enough that I can be able to go home and enjoy life," he continued.

He made sure to join a trade that he is passionate about because, as he disclosed, he is so hands-on when it comes day-to-day running of the sartorial business.

He has a female business partner with whom they kickstarted the business but he takes care of the creative side of things which involves coming up with concepts and developing it on paper.

"I have a partner. I do the design. I come up with the concept and put it on paper before executing it.

"I also employ a couple of people and I only go to the office on Saturday and Sunday. I have seven employees, a delivery guy, marketer and tailors," he pointed out.

It was at that point that I grew curious about where he got the inspiration to start such a business that remains strong in this turbulent economic environment, where conglomerates are downsizing or outrightly closing their doors.

"I got my inspiration from my mum. She challenged me into observing the details and actually she is the drive that ensured I pushed myself to get the part in Maria," he stated.

He is now looking to expand the business outside the Imenti House base spread it across the country.

Despite serving as a Member of Parliament representing Imenti Central Constituency after his victory in August 2017, Moses Nguchine Kirima is a man who has long served at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA), a role he still holds on to actively.

Kirima, now holding the Archdeacon position which is the third-highest role in the church, is a lawyer by profession and took up the role of the church chancellor. 

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the parliamentarian's aide indicated that even after his election to the 12th Parliament, Kirima refused to drop his role as a preacher and continues to serve without fail.

“Venerable Kirima has always insisted on maximising on church roles even while serving as a Member of Parliament. 

“After his election, everyone thought he would leave his pastoral duties to pursue politics full-time, but he has never taken this course. He actually takes a back seat when it comes to politics but this doesn’t keep him away from serving his constituents,” remarked the aide.

Kirima was also described as a down to earth man, owing to his humble upbringing at Kirigara Village in Meru County.

“Kirima was born in a coffee-growing area, where he started picking the cash crop at an early age. This continued until he was off to the university.

“The life of the parliamentarian has always reflected on his day-to-day life. This has helped him to interact freely with the locals at Imenti Central Constituency,” added the aide.

Despite him occupying a top political seat in Parliament, wielding authority, Kirima reportedly heeds to all orders given to him by other leaders in the church, including his archbishop and the church governing board.

“The archbishop has always tasked him with various roles in the church and he always performs them without failure.

“He is currently posted at the Abothuguchi/Timau Diocese serving under Archbishop Samson Muthuuri of the Eastern region and Archbishop Frederick Wang’ombe,” added the aide.

After his A-level education at Kanyakine Boys High School in 1985, Kirima proceeded to Shanzu Teachers College for training as an in-service teacher.

In 1986, the MP enrolled for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Nairobi until 1989, before proceeding to the Kenya School of Law for a diploma in 1990.

Due to his ambition to serve as a man of the cloth, Kirima would later enrol at St. Nicholas AIPCA College in Meru for a diploma in theology, a move that facilitated his ordination in 1993.

The parliamentarian is also a member of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Defence & Foreign Relations.

Citizen TV's Bambika show presenter and official hypeman, Timeless Noel, is a gifted dancer, show host and an entertainer whose journey to the peak, proves that perseverance is the secret to all triumphs.

Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, the ever-energetic Noel opened up on why he actually decided to take up dance, a craft that has so far earned him accolades and opened doors beyond his wildest dreams.

"It all started back when I was in class two. There was this house party that turned out to be the worst but yet also the most important day of my life.

"Everyone was taking their turn in the centre circle to show off their dancing skills and when it was finally my turn, I had one of those 'moments to forget'. It was so bad that my friends laughed me off the stage," he narrated.

However, the young Noel made a vow on that day to do everything in his power to become the best dancer ever, to avoid the humiliation he felt on that fateful day.

"It's amazing how one of your worst experiences in life can push you towards your destiny," the award-winning hypeman stated.

Despite still being a primary school kid, Noel's ambition to test himself against the very best in the dance scene led him to the famous Nairobi 'jam sessions' where his talent placed him ahead of peers who were well ahead of him in terms of age.

He then attended Chulaimbo Secondary School in Kisumu, where he kept on working on coming up with new dance moves.

By the time he joined the University of Nairobi to pursue his Bachelor of Commerce degree, he was already a master at his craft.

"By this time, I was working with industry greats such as Wyre -going on to appear in Kode Dance as well as his hit collabo with Jamaican songstress Cecile - [She Said Dat Remix].

"However, the most important year in my life has to be 2012, as this was the year when I gave my life to Christ and everything changed."

His talent made him a front-runner as part of the crew in the Kubamba Show which used to air on NTV.

The original K-Krew comprised of Dj Moz, Dj Soxxy, Dj Johni Celeb and Njugush.

During his tenure there he got to visit over 2000 secondary schools to spread the gospel as well as provide a platform for dancers to showcase their talents.

However, a major restructuring process at Nation Media Group meant that he had to leave, but once again, what would ordinarily appear to be a bad thing ended up as his gateway to bigger and better things.

In 2017, he joined Citizen TV's Bambika Gospel Show as the official hypeman, going on to secure back-to-back Groove awards for Hypeman of the Year.

The gifted dancer currently works alongside Holy Dave, Dj Gee Gee and Laura Karwirwa on the Sunday morning gospel show

He is also the first Kenyan dancer to gain over 100k subscribers on YouTube, with his tally currently at 130,000.

His famous Odi dance garnered over a million views on YouTube complete with countless Odi challenges that went viral across all social media platforms.

"I am currently planning on using my platform to try and connect really gifted dancers to dance lovers out there, hoping to kickstart their careers," he disclosed.

Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. This quote serves best to describe Nelson Andati, Omwana wa Chifu, a radio presenter at Mulembe FM, arguably one of Kenya's best vernacular radio stations. 

He coined the name Omwana wa Chifu (chief's son) as a way to relate with fans since his father was a chief in former President Daniel Arap Moi's era. 

Blessed with a commanding voice and an outgoing personality that strikes you when you meet him for the first time, Andati detailed to Kenyans.co.ke that his ascent to ruling the airwaves was not rosy, as he had to hawk biscuits before his breakthrough.

The 29-year-old runs a show dubbed Baze Yetu alongside co-host, Rozzy Atieno, at the Royal Media-owned station. The show which is aired from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday, targets the youth and has highlighted some life-changing stories which have transformed many lives.

"It was a difficult journey, chasing my broadcasting dream. I used to hawk biscuits, after working in a biscuit company in Industrial Area, where we used to be paid Ksh 250. I also worked as a motorbike rider and an untrained primary school teacher so as to make ends meet," the Kenya Polytechnic alumnus disclosed.

The youthful presenter could not hide the passion he has for his show, detailing how it has touched the lives of many.

"In my show, we highlight the stories of needy youth, mostly who are talented and we expose them to the world. Two such cases are one Ghetto Girl, a musician who I spotted and she went on to grace bigger events like Bambika (Citizen TV gospel show). There is also a young skilled boy who used to draw with grass, and after we aired his story, more opportunities opened up for him," the Mukumu Boys old boy affirmed.

The media star, who hails from Zimmerman, Nairobi, argued that he also met challenges in his career like everyone else as he strived to follow up in the footsteps of successful presenters such as Francis Luchivia (Milele FM) and Lydia Pamela Nyangala alias Senje, who ventured into politics, among many others. Both presenters worked at Mulembe FM.

"There are changing trends with the youth. Our language, dressing and music is ever-changing and I strive to be up to date, while also looking for new ways to create content. I can never rest on my laurels," the father of one affirmed.

He also lauded the digital transformation in the field of journalism, which has enabled him to interact with more fans, even those who are not from the dialect used in the station. 

"This career is all about sharing knowledge. On social media nowadays, we have online translations and people love anything that educates or entertains. Social media has enabled us to reach out to more people. Even those we host are not only from the Luhya community but Kenya as a whole," Andati stated.

For him, working under renown presenter Pamela Akadima, who is the head of the station, and also working at Royal Media is a big blessing.

"Royal Media is the best place to work. A dream for many. In here, you can relate with many journalists from the 14 radio stations to the two TV stations (Inooro TV and Citizen TV). You can also work in any department as a way to expand knowledge, so long as you are done with your departmental duties," Andati disclosed.

The presenter won the Scope Media Personality of The Year 2019 Award and was also recognised at the 2019 Nairobi Music Awards. 

For the youth, he had one piece of advice.

"Use any opportunity you have, whether you have the talent or not. Do not rush, learn to be patient," Andati advised. 

Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot on Tuesday, January 28 disowned a statement published by the party Secretary-General Frederick Okango, which hinted at the party joining the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which it had hitherto opposed.

Aukot maintained that the statement represented Okango's personal opinions and not the party position, reiterating that the BBI was an illegality and unconstitutional.

In a conversation with Kenyans.co.ke, Aukot disclosed that action to be taken on Okango would be decided by the party organs in a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, in which they would also plan a re-launch of the Punguza Mizigo initiative.

"According to the party constitution, the party leader is the spokesperson. The NEC was unanimous in its decision, we are launching the Punguza Mizigo II to amend the constitution through popular initiative

"Our position on BBI has never changed, it is an illegality. I wish him (Okango) luck in his next outfit. We'll be meeting this morning to decide what action to take because it's not right to use the party letterhead like that," Aukot asserted

Okango's statement suggested that there were disagreements within the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) during a meeting on Saturday, January 25 on whether to merge the aspirations of Punguza Mizigo with the BBI.

It noted that a number of issues addressed in Punguza Mizigo were included in the BBI report, such as strengthening of devolution by increasing revenue allocation to counties to 35 per cent. It further urged teams organizing BBI consultative forums as well as the BBI Task-force to allow Thirdway Alliance an opportunity to present its issues.

"That some of our NEC members and the public would love to see a merger between Punguza Mizigo II and the BBI 2 processes instead of running two parallel constitution amendment processes that would confuse Kenyans and undermine each other's efforts," the release issued on Monday, January 27 read in part.

Aukot maintained that the BBI was replicating functions domiciled in the constitution and other reports including the Ndung'u Report, Kriegler Report and the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission Report.

He revealed that having factored in proposals from the county assemblies which rejected the Punguza Mizigo Bill, they would re-launch the initiative on Wednesday, January 29.

Among proposals contained in the original Punguza Mizigo were to devolve 35 per cent of revenue, have wards as the central units of development and to have each county be considered a constituency with two MPs elected, a man and a woman, in a bid to cut the public wage bill.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Okango remained adamant that there had indeed been a split on the party's next step in a meeting held on Saturday, January 25.

"It is true that Thirdway has no money. Went to the people they told us that was another mzigo (weight). It is true the BBI incorporated some proposals from the Punguza Mizigo initiative.

"Some members thought it wise that instead of having a parallel initiative, we have just one where the concerns of Kenyans who supported Punguza Mizigo can be included. There was no unanimity, some people even walked out of the meeting. If there was a unanimous decision where is the record of the meeting?" he posed.

The original Punguza Mizigo bill failed to meet the constitutional threshold of approval by at least 24 county assemblies to proceed to a referendum, having only been passed in Uasin Gishu and Turkana counties. 

Kenyans across the country were glued to their screens on Sunday, January 26, as Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga gave a rare interview on NTV hosted by the station's Consulting Editor Joseph Warungu.

The conversation on happenings in the political arena including the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) instantly sparked heated discourse online.

The choice of Warungu, however, caught some Kenyans by surprise as they were not used to seeing the veteran journalist on prime time television in recent times.

Warungu spoke to Kenyans.co.ke on Monday, January 27, revealing how he found himself tasked with interviewing the opposition leader as well as his thoughts on a shifting media landscape and his fascinating exploits in the industry.

Accustomed to working behind the scenes at NTV, Warungu explained that it was actually younger colleagues who pushed him to do the interview.

"It actually wasn't my choice. It was the younger guys in the newsroom who told me today you have to do something [on-screen]," Warungu disclosed.

Warungu has a wealth of experience in the media industry spanning three decades.

He started off offering free services to the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) while studying education in college. Warungu continued working for KBC without pay even as he began his first job as a secondary school teacher of English and Kiswahili.

When the Kenya Television Network (KTN) was launched in 1990 becoming the country's first privately-owned broadcaster, Warungu got his big break as he became part of a pioneer group of journalists that shook up the media industry such as Catherine Kasavuli, Kathleen Openda and Njoroge Mwaura.

He eventually moved on to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) where he spent twenty years, becoming the first African to lead the BBC Africa News and Current Affairs department based in London.

Having seen and done it all, the former Knight International Journalism fellow chose to return to Kenya in 2018 with a vision to improve the standards of media and journalism in the country.

Warungu is the creator of journalism reality show Top Story, which he disclosed he thought of after realising many graduates of journalism-related courses were not quite ready for the job market.

"Graduates in media courses today are not market-ready, although I've noticed this in other industries as well. They need to learn a lot once they get to the newsroom.

"It's what we are trying to work on with Top Story. All the contestants are journalism students in their final year," he stated.

Now in its third season, Top Story sees contestants assigned various weekly tasks and challenges that help them develop key skills considered useful in real-life journalism.

Warungu takes the role of principal at the Top Story academy with other industry heavyweights among them Janet Mbugua, Alex Chamwada and John Allam Namu making appearances on past episodes to guide the young journalists.

Observing changes in the media landscape in Kenya over the years, Warungu noted that journalistic content nowadays seemed to lack depth compared to his heyday.

"One of the changes I've noticed is that content is lacking in depth compared to what we used to do. This is possibly because of the rise of social media and the internet.

"There is also the aspect of lacking an understanding of history. Like, for example, Charles Njonjo (former Attorney-General) celebrated his 100th birthday the other day. What can you tell us about Njonjo?" Warungu posed, asserting the importance of journalists digging through the archives.

He explained that in his current position as Consulting Editor at NTV, he hoped to position the station as the home of world-class journalism and content, noting he had an important responsibility to guide and mentor the newsroom team.

"We want to establish NTV as the source of serious, high-quality journalistic content and you'll start seeing a lot of things very soon," he envisages.

The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.

This statement encapsulates Citizen TV's dynamic presenter, Karwirwa Laura.

Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, the Bambika show presenter opened up on her remarkable journey to becoming a household name at such a tender age, as well as some outright goofy details that add to her unique character.

Uknown to most, Karwirwa commutes to work from Thika when needed at the studio, as its the town she grew up in.

"Haha yeah, I actually do that," she cheekily responded when quizzed on how she manages to make it to her Sunday Morning show.

Interestingly, despite undertaking a Food, Nutrition and Dietetics course at Kenyatta University, she made her way to Citizen TV when a position opened up at the station and trumped over 20 other contestants to ensure she bagged the job.

However, landing the job was only the beginning as she found herself in the deep end of the pool, with zero experience in the field.

She even admitted to having questioned her decision to audition for the job, after it dawned on her that the gig came hand in hand with major publicity - kryptonite to most introverts.

However, the team she joined was filled with people who were willing to nurture and encourage her until she could swim with the whales.

"The Gospel Sunday team on Citizen TV (Holy Dave, Timeless Noel, Dj Gee Gee, Ken tha Dj, Kambua and our producers) have been sooooo amazing. They patiently guided me, taught me new things and have become more like family already," she stated.

One particular member of the team -Kambua, holds a dear place in her heart, with their friendship blossoming into something much deeper, akin to sisterhood.

"We're very close and she's walked me through a lot in regards to my music career and many other things pertaining to life. I'm a firstborn to a brother. She's the sister I never had," she disclosed.

In a weird twist of fate, it was actually Karwirwa who not only replaced Kambua on the Bambika Show, but also stepped in for her on the Rauka show, as Kambua took a break during her maternity leave.

Speaking of people who had played a pivotal role in her rise to stardom, Karwirwa only had kind words for Pitson of the famous Lingala ya Yesu track.

"Pitson held my hand through it all, from my very first track to date, he has always been there," she narrated.

Inspired by her own mentor, Karwirwa is already giving back to upcoming artistes by holding out her hand and guiding new musicians through the cut-throat music industry.

"I like to term it as my labour of love. It's not like I have a registered mentorship institution or anything like that. I just feel that it's my duty to also pass on some of the knowledge I have gained during my five years in the music industry. There are many things I had to learn through baptism by fire or hardship and where I can, I'd like to help someone so that they don't have to go through the same," she explained.

Her unexpected career path also introduced her to the world of hundreds of men willing to shoot their shot in her DM - on a daily basis. 

Her relationship status is a hot topic of discussion, coming up as often as the BBI debate, it all comes with the territory.

Despite being part of a crew that has enough energy and stories to last 10 lifetimes, Karwirwa maintains that off set, she actually likes to keep to herself and goof around trying out stuff she comes across on those Do-It-Yourself videos.

This may be the secret behind her self-taught make-up and hairstyling skills, with the presenter confessing to styling herself most of the time.

"I like to keep to myself most of the time. At times I just drive to nowhere in particular, to just unwind. I also really enjoy doing house chores such as washing the utensils, cleaning the house, dusting, etc, it's therapeutic for me," she revealed.

In regards to her plans for the future, the Citizen TV show host announced that she was making a major comeback in music.