King'ori Wangeci's journey in media is one of motivation, depicting a man rising through the ranks to achieve success despite encountering challenges.
It all started in 2013 when he joined Royal Media Services (RMS) as an intern. He was attached to the Swahili desk that was editorially managed by Swaleh Mdoe.
His eagerness to find a footing in the coveted news world, saw him take up serious roles after a massive shift of talents from RMS to Mediamax. Interns working at RMS at the time were challenged to take on roles that had been left vacant from the migration.
King'ori who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, October 20, stated that he saw an opportunity and realized that if he did not grab it, the roles would have been given to senior reporters.
"I actually covered the 2013 general elections, Live from Nyeri alongside Waihiga Mwaura. It was such a privilege," the media practitioner stated.
After completing his university studies, King'ori landed his first job as a Social Media Manager with a company that specialized in communication and media relations for a government-related organization.
He was later introduced to Media Production by his boss, John Marete, and became a Line Producer for numerous documentaries traversing through the country.
"It is while were busy producing documentaries that Inooro TV was launched and I am among the pioneer producers and hosts of some programmes, although they have since been discontinued," he stated.
In 2017, his boss came to him with an offer that would turn his life around. King'ori was asked to join a team that would pioneer the first Vernarcular TV station in Meru and he jumped at the opportunity.
"I agreed and moved to Meru. I first became the Head of Radio (Weru FM), after which I became the Head of Weru TV programming and later the Station Manager for both stations," King'ori explained.
During his time at Weru TV, King'ori was part of a team that pioneered the birth of the Kamba vernacular TV station dubbed Mutongoi TV.
"I must state here that we now have three stations under our belt. We recently launched a Kikamba TV station-Mutongoi TV. You see, I was first a Line Producer of documentaries, where I gained skills, which I used to produce programmes for a Kikuyu TV station, then later became in charge of a media station, with a strong bias on administration and the commercial aspects.
"I never watch TV or listen to the radio the same way! I now consume media commercially. Gratefully, as we speak, I have my own Youtube Channel, Andu Digital Channel, which has a growing following of at least 17,000 subscribers. I host the “who is who” in the Kikuyuland, watch this space! I also conceptualize and write scripts for TV and Radio commercials," he stated.
But every success story does not come without its ups and downs. King'ori acknowledged that he had to face tough times to get to where he was. He further disclosed that the job had robbed him of some of the things he wished to pursue.
"The challenges I have encountered include being unable to do much more social and personal things. I am always typing away, pushing the envelope, doing something related to media or my career. Another challenge is being denied some opportunities to do what one would like to in the industry, for one reason or another, but God has always made a way," the Weru TV Station Manager explained.
"I have learnt a very profound lesson, in media, you must be authentic and be malleable to learn new skills. You also need to know that the media world operates like the medical world, you have to be alert at all times because you can be called upon anytime. In this digital era, you also need to doubt, be sceptical, verify and counter-check for you to report factual information," he added.
