Waihiga Mwaura’s exceptional skills in Development & Public Affairs Reporting have been recognized through his recent win of a prestigious award.
After his departure from Citizen TV to join CNN, Waihiga Mwaura has now been honored with an award in the realm of Development & Public Affairs Reporting.
Fellow journalist Jamila Mohamed received the award on behalf of Waihiga Mwaura, who was surprised by this unexpected recognition.
“I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the last story I was a part of producing before exiting Citizen TV, The Saudi Allure, took top honors at the Media Council of Kenya 2024 awards (Development & Public Affairs Reporting).
The story called for accountability after so many young women had lost their lives in Saudi Arabia, with their families unable to get answers as to what led to the death of their loved ones (most were diagnosed as having allegedly suffered heart attacks/cardiac arrests).”
In conclusion, he thanked everyone who has stood by him.
“I thank God for this accolade, those who spoke to us for the report, and my teammates on the project @benkirui_ , @AlfredCheruiyot, @moses_mwakisha, #HenryOriwo for the hard work..the support provided by @kaikailinus was invaluable
And honored that @jamila.mohamed1 was on hand to receive the award.”
Waihiga Mwaura’s profile
Waihiga’s journey to the pinnacle of Kenyan media has been one of persistence, hard work, and dedication.
He started out in the IT industry before eventually transitioning into journalism, a career that has seen him become a household name in Kenya and beyond.
Fun facts about Waihiga Mwaura
- He had only worked for Citizen TV for the 14-year span of his media career until he joined BBC in 2023.
- He declined an alleged Sh1 million bribe during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- He is a computer scientist
- Close friends call him Higgs
- His horoscope is Gemini
Waihiga Mwaura’s early life
Waihiga Mwaura was born on June 6, 1984, as the firstborn of three siblings. His father David Mwaure Waihiga is a clergyman who contested the presidential election in 2022.
In 2023, his father was appointed to be the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Environment Trust Fund.
Waihiga attended Muthaiga Kindergarten before moving to St Nicholas then to St Mary’s School in Nairobi and finally to Rusinga School.
He later joined African Nazarene University where he graduated with a degree in Computer Science.
Waihiga Mwaura’s IT and Banking career
During his attachment in his 3rd year of campus, Waihiga realized that his passion was not in IT and computer science, and therefore decided to explore other career paths.
After graduating he avoided applying for IT-related jobs despite recommendations.
In 2006, he got a job at a call centre located along Mombasa Road that served US clients.
Later, in 2007, he joined the banking sector as a management trainee but felt unfulfilled with the job.
He was inspired by the media clients he served while working in the bank and desired a career in the media industry.
“These people look like they have time on their hands and are actively pursuing their passions,” he said in a past interview.
“By the time we were done, the news was on at 7:00 pm so we ended up watching the news in the office as were winding up. I remember telling my supervisor that one day I am going to work over there (pointing to the TV). He laughed at me and said it was impossible for me to go from banking to the media.”
