Popular TV journalist Waihiga Mwaura rose through the ranks to become one of the top news anchors in the country.
His 14-year stint on Citizen TV, was filled with several outstanding moments including heated interviews with politicians and heartwarming moments while on special assignments.
He anchored News Night every Tuesday aside from serving as the features editor and the special assignments editor. Before switching to prime time, Waihiga was a sports reporter, anchor and editor on Citizen TV.
Heated Moments
His interactions with politicians were not all smooth sailing. On March 28, 2023, he clashed with Kikuyu Member of Parliament and the Majority Leader in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah during a live interview.
Ichung’wa claimed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta was sponsoring Azimio's mass protest but could not substantiate his allegations when confronted by the journalist.
"Has Uhuru Kenyatta told you that he has a problem with me saying he is the financer? Why are you speaking for him? You should have told me that you were coming to interview me on evidence base interrogation.
"You will allow me to speak or ask me to walk out, Waihiga, because I cannot be saying something, and you interject. Why did you invite me here?" the MP lamented during the show.
At the same time, Waihiga asked Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osots to retract his statements regarding the security of Raila as he could not support the claims.
In a separate incident in November 2019, Waihiga pinned down Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei after they tried dodging questions during an interview.
Mwaura asked the politicians to respond to the chaos witnessed in Kibra during a mini-poll on November 7, but they could not.
"First of all, we condemn any violence in this country," answered Sifuna before Waihiga interrupted demanding he narrows down on Kibra.
Heartwarming Moments
While filming a feature in May 2020, Waihiga led his crew to rescue a mother and daughter who were among the individuals being forcefully evicted by the government from Kariobangi.
The woman narrated to the crew that they were living out in the open and surviving the cold nights with the baby being shielded in a makeshift structure made of cardboard.
Touched by her plight, he led the Citizen TV crew to find a rental house for the woman where they paid the month's rent.
Additionally, the crew purchased various foodstuffs and essential items for the woman in a bid to ease the burden she was facing.
Trailblazing
Waihiga was among the first journalists to anchor news from home during the pandemic.
He held an interview with Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata and Narok County Senator Ledama Ole Kina in July 2020
He shared a glimpse of the operation behind the scenes that made the broadcast possible from his own house including pictures of how he set up his phone that would act as the camera on a tripod and even had a teleprompter to guide him in anchoring.
Waihiga Mwaura announced quitting Royal Media Services (RMS) on March 2, 2023, after amassing 14 years at the station, revealing that he was set to join BBC as the station's presenter for Focus on Africa.
