Interviews are often seeing as the epitome of journalism where media anchors get a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with the top political class and dig deep into certain issues affecting the country.
Some of the interviews, however, spark a debate among netizens, either due to the contents of the interview or the manner with which it was conducted.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at TV interviews that made headlines in 2020.
William Ruto and Joe Ageyo
Deputy President William Ruto's interview with Citizen TV news anchor Joe Ageyo, on Thursday, December 3, elicited a debate among netizens.
The interview, which was majorly centered on discussions around the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) saw Kenyans express their opinion regarding the conduct of the guest and the host.
Some criticised Ageyo for alleged biased in pushing the DP to take a position the BBI referendum. Others, also pointed fingers at Ruto, faulting him for allegedly evading Ageyo's questions.
Ageyo posed a variety of questions to the DP among them Ruto's relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta, the BBI framework and the issue of a multiple-choice referendum.
On the issue of the BBI framework, Ruto claimed that the BBI team was mandated to come up with strategies on uniting the country and not changing the constitution.
He further called for consensus on the BBI report, citing that he was not opposed to the project.
Ruto also pointed out that his relationship with the President was not a subject of any discussion.
Waihiga Mwaura and William Kabogo
Citizen TV Anchor Waihiga Mwaura threatened to mute former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo's microphone due to his remarks regarding the state of corruption in the country.
The former Kiambu Governor was part of a panelist which included former Nairobi Speaker Beatrice Elachi, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa and Amnesty International Chair Renee Ngamau.
Kabogo, known for being audaciously bold, insinuated that MPs were corrupt and went ahead to claim that he witnessed corrupt dealings dominating parliamentary committees during his tenure as an MP.
This prompted Waihiga to question him on why he did not report the cases to the relevant authorities.
Kabogo revealed that he had been vocal about the issue in Parliament and noted that all his efforts had been recorded in the Hansard report.
"You know Waihiga, you want to blame me by pinning me down on what I reported... You can't pin me down on saying that I did not report, how do you know I did not report. This is a very serious matter," Kabogo stated.
The conversation soon turned into a shouting march as the other panelists tried to outwit one another in order to put their points forward.
Wamalwa, in particular, faulted Kabogo and accused him of being an accomplice of corruption for not reporting the issue at the time.
The turn of events forced Mwaura to step in and demand order to the point of threatening both Kabogo and Wamalwa's microphones if they did not keep themselves under control.
Jeff Koinange and Wycliffe Oparanya
Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange attracted backlash from a number of Kenyans following an interview with Council of Governors Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya about the controversial revenue-sharing bill.
The interview, which took place on Wednesday, September 16, elicited reactions from netizens as some expressed their displeasure with Koinange's tone and approach.
Others, however, bashed Oparanya faulting him for not answering the questions correctly.
The news anchor questioned Oparanya on why he asked counties to stop offering services.
"I feel ashamed to be a Kenyan today, governors are blaming senators, senators are blaming governors and I said 'give us a break for once'," Jeff expressed.
He also questioned why counties could not use funds from locally collected as they awaited disbursement of funds from the national government.
In response to this, Oparanya claimed that it was impossible as governors collected and sent all revenue to the government.
Persistent on the topic, Koinange also asked why counties did not have savings to use in such dire times when services were grinding to a halt.
Oparanya on his part, told Jeff that the Senate had been given two years to come up with the formula yet nothing had materialised.
He further revealed that senators had sent him a letter that did not give a definite date on when they would resolve the issue.
Babu Owino and Anne Kiguta
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino got into a heated argument with former K24 news anchor Anne Kiguta on the primetime political show, Punchline.
The interview had touched on charges of attempted murder that the outspoken MP faced in a matter where the victim was Felix Orinda alias DJ Evolve.
CCTV footage of Babu shooting DJ Evolve in the neck at B-Club in Nairobi in January had gone rounds on social media and caused an uproar.
During the interview, Kiguta relentlessly pressed Babu over the issue, asking him whether he should still be in office after being charged.
The lawmaker stayed mum on the matter noting the case was still in court.
He maintained that he was innocent until proven guilty. This did not deter the news anchor who was hell bent on getting a response from the legislator.
"What I will tell you Anne is simple. This is a matter before a court of law, and a matter before a court of law is sub judice (prohibited from public discussion).
"Have you ever been arrested or handcuffed? If you discuss this matter those people are going to arrest you because it is a matter before a court of law and we will stop at that," Babu responded.
The two engaged in a back and forth debate on the matter. Babu remained steadfast in his position despite various questions thrown at him by Kiguta.
Uhuru on France 24
President Uhuru Kenyatta's interview on international media house France 24, made headlines with his remarks regarding various issues within the country.
Commenting on the tense relationship with DP Ruto and whether he would back him for the 2022 presidential post, Uhuru affirmed that his focus was on uniting the country and not weakening the Deputy President.
He further addressed Chief Justice David Maraga's advisory to dissolve Parliament for failure to enact two-thirds gender rule.
The Head of State noted that he had no intentions of dissolving Parliament though expressed that his administration is keen on empowering women and creating equality.
On whether he would return to the ballot or seek a position under the BBI coalition, Kenyatta reiterated that he would retire after his second and final term ends in 2022.
