Former NTV journalist and political affairs reporter Kennedy Murithi, now a media and political consultant, has revealed how tribal slurs and remarks from top Kenyan politicians transformed his career.
Speaking on a YouTube show hosted by former NTV investigative journalist Brian Obuya, Murithi noted that his breakthrough came in 2014 when he attended a press conference held by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula who was the then Senator for Bungoma.
At the time, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula were under the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) party.
Muriithi stated that he asked Kalonzo why the opposition had failed to propose solutions instead of merely criticizing the government.
He suggested that they should articulate how they would have preferred things to be done, rather than just pointing out the flaws.
“All what you’ve been saying is what is wrong with the government you’re not providing alternative leadership as CORD. You’re not saying this is wrong this is how it should be done,” Muriithi asked at the time.
Kalonzo Snubs Kennedy Murithi, Says His Name Betrays Him
The moment Murithi posed that question, he recalled, Kalonzo, the senior figure in the room, who was holding the microphone, responded sharply.
Kalonzo retorted, “Wait a minute, you’re entitled first I didn’t even get your name. What’s your name?” to which Muriithi replied, “Kennedy Muriithi.”
Kalonzo responded,” Thank you Kennedy Muriithi. That name betrays you and that explains it all absolutely thank you I have nothing else to say.”
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Muriithi recounts that he remembers saying “wow” and taking a back seat because he was sweating after the response.
“But within few minutes because it was live event, that matter was trending in a manner that I did not expect,” added Muriithi.
“People started to call me and some of their members who knew that he had blundered started talking to him saying that there was blunder by the time they’re done with the press conference it’s already trending at number two.”
He added, “Kalonzo called me on the side says I’m sorry and I said no you know my name is Muriithi, but I am a Meru. He thought I was Kikuyu but whichever way I’m Kenyan at the end of the day.”
Muriithi added that he later saw statement on Kalonzo’s page sating that he already had tea with the young man (him).
“I was like wait when did we had tea, so I also had to come to my Twitter and say that we’ve not had tea because I needed to be very clear in the direction,” the journalist said.
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Moses Kuria Insults Journalist on Live TV
His second major encounter with politicians came in 2017, during the Jubilee Party primaries when former Public Service CS Moses Kuria participated in the grassroots elections in Gatundu South which were marred by chaos.
The journalist turned political consultant stated that everyone he spoke to alleged that Moses Kuria was responsible for the chaos, prompting him to pursue the then legilator for a comment.
After he questioned Kuria, the former CS cursed and insulted him on live Tv, and the clip quickly went viral across social media platforms.
“I am tired of stupid media okay. if someone accuses me bring them here. Every wrong happens in this country is blamed on Moses Kuria,” he said before walking away from the journalist after dropping the f-word.
How the Slander and Insult Built His Career
The former journalist stated that he built his career from the slander of a top politician like Kalonzo. While others viewed it negatively, he saw it as a catalyst for his growth.
“He built my career that slander from a top politician when others were looking at it from the point of slander, I looked at it as a point of catapult,” he said.
He recalled attending a conference led by President William Ruto when Ruto was still the Deputy President. During the Q&A session, he raised his hand to ask a question, and Ruto responded, “Let’s pick this one’s question so that we don’t trend.”
Kennedy Muriithi stated that people began associating him with the slander made by Kalonzo Musyoka and later by Moses Kuria, and that’s how it all unfolded.
“That looked like I was a good journalist and the same time a stubborn one,” he said.
Muriithi noted that people had begun to relate him with asking tough questions, and he expressed his intention to maintain that momentum.
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