Royal Media Services (RMS) Managing Director (MD) Wachira Waruru is one of the most respected figures in the Kenyan media industry.
Since joining RMS in 2007, Waruru has transformed Citizen TV and the other RMS stations by focusing on local, diverse, and interesting content that resonates with the audience.
This has seen Citizen TV overtake strong media house like the Nation Media Groups (NTV) and Standard Medi Group (SG) in terms of viewership.
As RMS MD, Waruru runs the operation of three television stations including Citizen TV, Inooro TV and Ramogi TV.
Besides, the media company owns 13 radio stations namely: Radio Citizen, Ramogi FM, Inooro FM, Hot 96, Musyi FM, Chamgei FM, Muuga FM, Egesa FM, Bahari FM, Mulembe FM, Wimwaro FM, Sulwe FM and Vuuka FM.
Also, RMS operates online journalism platforms like the Citizen Digital App, Citizen Radio App and Viusasa.
Waruru’s dynamic leadership and strategies have made him run all these RMS platforms for the last 16 years.
Waruru’s Father
Waruru is the son of former Nyeri Member of Parliament (MP) Waruru Kanja.
Kanja is a former freedom fighter and was jailed by the colonial British government for taking part in the Mau Mau rebellion.
After Kenya gained independence, Kanja served in both President Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi’s regimes in different capacities.
The politician rose to be a short-lived minister for Information and Broadcasting during the Moi era in the 1980s.
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Waruru as Chairman of Chaka Ranch
Apart from journalism, he has invested heavily in the Chaka Ranch in Nyeri County.
Additionally, the 130 acres of ranch boasts of various recreational facilities making it one of the most sort after leisure parks in Kenya.
Chaka Ranch is one of the most popular parks in Kenya and has the capacity to host various events such as weddings, birthdays, team building and holiday celebrations.
Also, the Ranch can be used for different recreational activities including biking, water parks, go-karting, and as an action arena, magi buddies and paintball.
Notably, Wachira Waruru has been at the helm of Chaka Ranch as its Chairman and owner since its establishment in 2016.
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Wachira Waruru Experience Before Citizen TV
Besides, Wachira holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Nairobi (UON).
However, the Lenena School alumni chose to pursue his passion in journalism over his career in education.
Prior to his job at the S.K Macharia owned media company, the RMS MD served in other roles.
After University, he started working for the Nairobi Times with a focus on business related topics.
He also worked as MD of Weekly News Magazine before creating his own PR and Media Consultancy firm.
His experience and vast knowledge made him be appointed the Group Editorial Director at SG between 1998 and 2003.
Afterwards, he joined Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) as MD for three years.
Further, Waruru served as the MD of the Kenya Film Commission between July 2006 and February 2007.
Between September 2007 and April 2010, he served as the Chairman of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).
Additionally, the RMS MD was a member of the Kenya Cultural Centre board from 2015 to 2018.
Furthermore, he is the immediate former chairman of Media Owners Association and board member of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
