Sam Gituku is a journalist, news reporter, and anchor at Citizen TV Kenya, one of the leading media houses in the country. He has been working at Citizen TV since November 2014 and his specialty is news coverage, research, and production. He covers political, human interest, and crime stories with over seven years of experience in the field. He is also bilingual, fluent in both English and Swahili.
Gituku is not just an ordinary journalist, he is an award-winning one. In 2014, he was named the Young Journalist of the Year by the Media Council of Kenya, a testament of his skills and hard work. He has also covered some notable news events, both locally and internationally, such as the 2017 General Election, the 2016 US Presidential Election, and the 2015 Garissa University Attack.
Sam Gituku Wiki/Bio
| Name | Sam Gituku |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Journalist, news reporter, and anchor at Citizen TV Kenya |
| Date of birth | August 15, 1989 |
| Place of birth | Machakos County, Kenya |
| Awards | Young Journalist of the Year by the Media Council of Kenya in 201412 |
| Notable coverage | 2017 General Election, 2016 US Presidential Election, 2015 Garissa University Attack |
| Spouse | Ivy Waitherero |
| Children | Two (a son and a daughter) |
| Religion | Christian |
| Ethnicity | Kamba |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Net worth | Estimated to be over Ksh 50 million |
Birthday, Education
Sam Gituku was born in Machakos County, Kenya. He has posted on his Instagram that he celebrated his brithday on 15th August of every year. As of now, he is 34 years old which means he was born on 15th August 1989. He grew up in a humble family and attended local schools for his primary and secondary education. He was passionate about journalism from a young age and always dreamed of becoming a reporter.
He pursued his dream by joining Moi University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information science. He later enrolled at the University of Nairobi, where he obtained a master’s degree in communication studies. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) and currently pursuing an Executive Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation (EMMLI) at the Aga Khan University.
Career and Achievements
Sam Gituku started his career in 2012 as a radio correspondent for Radio Citizen, a subsidiary of Royal Media Services. He was based in Machakos County, where he reported on various issues affecting the local community. He later moved to Nairobi, where he joined Citizen TV as a current affairs reporter.
At Citizen TV, Gituku has established himself as one of the most reliable and versatile journalists in the country. He has covered various topics, ranging from politics, business, health, education, security, sports, entertainment, and more. He has also interviewed some of the most influential personalities in Kenya, such as President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, Opposition Leader Raila Odinga, among others.
Some of the notable news events that Gituku has covered include:
- The 2017 General Election, where he reported on the electoral management by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the presidential election results tallying and declaration, and the subsequent hearing and determination of the presidential election petition at the Supreme Court, which resulted in the nullification of the election.
- The 2016 US Presidential Election, where he traveled to Washington DC and reported on the campaigns, voting, and outcome of the election that pitted Republican Donald Trump against Democrat Hillary Clinton.
- The 2015 Garissa University Attack, where he was the frontline reporter when terrorists attacked the university and killed 148 people, mostly students.
Gituku has also received several accolades and recognition for his work. In 2014, he was awarded the Young Journalist of the Year by the Media Council of Kenya, an honor that he described as a motivation to do more. He has also been nominated for various awards, such as the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) and the Media Council of Kenya Awards.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5′ 11″
- Weight: 79 kg (110 lbs)
- Eye color: Dark brown
- Hair color: Black
- Body measurements: Not available
- Shoe size: Not available
- Skin color: Black
Profile
A Data Analyst and a Tough Interviewer
In his role as a television host and news reporter for Citizen TV, Sam Gituku has stood out with his data analytics prowess. He is adept at using graphs, charts, and tables to present and explain data and statistics clearly and engagingly. He often uses data to support his arguments and challenge his guests, especially politicians, on various issues affecting the country.
He has clashed with several newsmakers, pinning them down with follow-up questions and holding them accountable for their actions and statements. Some of his guests who almost walked out during live interviews include Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and Nominated Senator Gloria Orwaba.
Gituku is also part of Citizen TV’s lineup of seasoned journalists, who host the weekly News Gang show, where they analyze and critique the top stories of the week. He joins RMS Editorial Director Linus Kaikai, Managing Editor (Swahili) Jamila Mohamed, and anchor and editor Yvonne Okwara on the panel.
Sam Gituku Praised for Grilling William Ruto with Smart Questions: “Brilliant”
Sam Gituku, a journalist at Citizen TV Kenya, impressed many Kenyans with his interviewing skills when he faced President William Ruto on Wednesday, December 18, 2023. Gituku asked Ruto some tough and well-researched questions on various issues affecting the country, such as the economy, security, politics, and the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
He did not shy away from challenging Ruto on some of his controversial statements and actions, such as his opposition to the BBI, his relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta, his involvement in corruption scandals, and his 2027 presidential ambitions. He also questioned Ruto on his role and responsibility as the deputy president and the leader of the ruling Jubilee Party.
Gituku also displayed his knowledge and mastery of the facts and figures, as he quoted various sources and reports to back up his questions. He also followed up on Ruto’s responses and pressed him to clarify or justify his claims. He also corrected Ruto on some of the inaccurate or misleading information that he gave.
Many Kenyans took to social media to commend Gituku for his professionalism, courage, and intelligence. They praised him for being objective, balanced, and respectful, while also being firm and assertive. They also compared him to other journalists who have interviewed Ruto in the past and found him to be superior and outstanding.
Some of the comments from Kenyans on Twitter are:
- “Gituku is a genius. He has done his homework and he is not afraid to ask Ruto the hard questions. He is also very polite and respectful. He is the best journalist in Kenya right now.” – @MwauraKimani
- “I am impressed by Sam . He is asking Ruto the right questions and he is not letting him get away with lies and propaganda. He is also very calm and composed. He is a true professional.” – @NjeriWangari
- “Sam is brilliant. He is grilling Ruto with smart questions and he is not intimidated by his status or power. He is also very factual and accurate. He is a role model for other journalists.” – @OmondiOdhiambo
Marriage Life
Sam Gituku is a married man. He tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Ivy Waitherero, in a colorful wedding ceremony in 2018. Ivy is also a journalist by profession, having graduated with a degree in communication from Daystar University. She currently works as a producer at Citizen TV.
The couple is blessed with two children, a son and a daughter. They live in Nairobi, where they balance their busy careers and family life. Gituku is a devoted Christian and a member of the Deliverance Church. He is also a fan of football and supports Arsenal FC.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Sam Gituku is one of the most successful and well-paid journalists in Kenya. He earns a monthly salary of over Ksh 500,000 from his job at Citizen TV. He also makes extra income from other sources, such as endorsements, advertisements, and events.
His net worth is estimated to be over Ksh 50 million, which he has accumulated from his career and investments. He owns a luxurious house in Nairobi and drives a sleek car. He also enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending quality time with his family and friends.
Sam Gituku is a journalist who has made a name for himself in the Kenyan media industry. He is known for his professionalism, talent, and passion for his work. He has covered some of the most important and impactful news events in the country and beyond. He has also won several awards and recognition for his work.
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