Interviews are often regarded as the epitome of journalism where news anchors engage in a one-on-one conversation with the top political class and dig deep into topical issues affecting the country - essentially becoming the medium between the society and the persons of interest.
Some of the interviews, however, spark debate among netizens, either due to the content or the manner with which they were conducted.
Kenyans.co.ke samples some of the interviews that made headlines in 2021.
Miguna Miguna x Ken Mijungu
KTN News anchor, Ken Mijungu, and exiled lawyer Miguna Miguna, became the talk of town after a heated confrontation during prime time news.
Mijungu had accused the lawyer of violating the Constitution by swearing in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga, as the People's President on January 30, 2018 at Uhuru Park - remarks which Miguna didn't take too kindly.
This led to a back and forth exchange, which lasted for almost ten minutes before the show went for a break. They came back on air still charged and were trending topics on various social media platforms for several days.
Jeff x Uhuru
Kenyans were not happy with Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange, on October 14, 2021, over his choice of questions in an interview with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The interview came at a time when the country was experiencing a crisis in Laikipia county, a huge debate, high cost of fuel as well as the leaked Pandora Papers- that had implicated the Kenyatta family to multi-billion offshore accounts.
Irate Kenyans faulted Jeff for been too diplomatic in his approach, as the interview focused majorly on Kenyatta’s role as President of the United Nations Security Council.
Waihiga Mwaura x Kalonzo Musyoka
In March 2021, a video clip went viral on social media of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka's comebacks during an interview with Citizen TV news anchor Waihiga Mwaura.
Mwaura asked the Wiper leader how his first 100 days in office would be if he clinched the top seat in the 2022 General Election.
The video elicited debate online as Kenyans pointed out how the former Vice President struggled to explain how his first 100 days in office would look like.
"I think you are tiring your viewers" a visibly angry Kalonzo stated.
Atwoli x Jeff
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has become a staple on the Bench as his interviews with Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange elicit conversations and birthing comical phrases.
Atwoli is synonymous with the phrase Alaaa! - which he uttered during an interview on February 24, 2021. The discussion primarily revolved around pertinent issues that faced the country at the time, including the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), and the 2022 elections.
His second interview on the show was on October 24, whereby they discussed the state of the nation.
Atwoli, a supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga, noted that the country would be safe in the hands of the former PM as opposed to Deputy President William Ruto. He later posed the question to Kenyans: "In whose hands are we safe?"
Kihika x Odhiambo x Jeff
A confrontation between politicians from opposing sides, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, during a Citizen TV interview left news anchor Jeff Koinange dumbfounded.
Millie, who is a supporter of Raila and Kihika, an ally of Ruto, kept the host on his toes while ventilating on the state of politics.
The two went for the jugular as they tried to outwit each other in the fierce battle of words. Jeff swung into action to try and restore order and avert ugly scenes on air.
At the end of the interview, the two however noted that outside of political life, they maintained a good friendship and only had differences in ideologies.
