From Murang’a to the world, Citizen’s Victor Kinuthia captures BBC’s attention

By , K24 Digital
On Tue, 10 Sep, 2019 18:45 | 2 mins read
Citizen TV's Victor Kinuthia has captured the attention of BBC World News, just hours after he was ridiculed by Kenyan social media users. [PHOTO | COURTESY]
Citizen TV's Victor Kinuthia has captured the attention of BBC World News, just hours after he was ridiculed by Kenyan social media users. [PHOTO | COURTESY]
Citizen TV's Victor Kinuthia has captured the attention of BBC World News, just hours after he was ridiculed by Kenyan social media users. [PHOTO | COURTESY]

Citizen Television reporter Victor Kinuthia has captured the attention of global news giant, BBC World News, just hours after he was ridiculed by Kenyan social media users over what they termed as incoherent live reportage by the newsman.

On Monday, 9pm, Kinuthia gave a live report from outside Murang’a police station, where Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro had just been arrested over church violence witnessed on Sunday.

A section of social media users termed his report as “sub-standard”, given it was marred by what many perceived as inadequate confidence, unpreparedness and lack of mastery of English press language.

And following the buzz around him a better part of Tuesday, Kinuthia will now be interviewed by British media company, BBC.

“After trending at the top on Twitter, the BBC World Service radio in London gave me a call, asking to interview me. They want to know, from me, why I am trending in Kenya. My story of encouragement will be hitting the airwaves across the world in 2 hours’ time. Be blessed for the continued support,” said Kinuthia on Facebook at 5pm East African Time.

In an earlier Tuesday phone interview with K24 Digital, Kinuthia said his phone kept on buzzing a better part of the day.

"I have received so many calls from people who wish me well. Everyone in my family, including my grandmother, knows that I am being talked about on the internet. I learnt key lessons yesterday, and I am hoping to get better in my journalism career by the day," said Kinuthia.

Several senior journalists on Tuesday took to Facebook and Twitter to defend Kinuthia, observing that live-reporting is never an easy task.

Citizen TV editorial director, Joe Ageyo, was among the senior journalists, who encouraged Victor.

“I have done this for 21 years, and I can tell you that it is not a walk in the park. Victor found himself in a breaking news situation, and gave it his best: this was his first lice report of that kind. He is destined for greatness. I am truly proud of him,” Ageyo said on Twitter.

Citizen TV political editor, Francis Gachuri, said: “I stand with Victor. For a full-time young Inooro TV correspondent to take up the challenge, and try out an English live link on prime TV is courage. He may have faltered, but it was a valuable learning experience and opportunity. He will build on it.”

Citizen TV news anchor, Yvonne Okwara, said: “You won’t be laughing in a few years! Let us cut Victor some slack. We believe in him. He will go places. We will walk with him.”

Another Citizen TV news anchor, Hussein Mohamed, said: “In many professions, you hide your mistakes. In journalism, you broadcast them. So, give Victor a break. It was his first live link in a chaotic scene. He will learn like many of us. Let us revisit this when he makes it in a few years. Inshallah.”

And, now Victor Kinuthia says following the trolls, he “almost gave up” on journalism, “but not anymore”.

“I almost gave up when I found myself trending all over after yester-night’s 9pm news. But, after receiving calls from my bosses, colleagues, friends and fans, I must say I am encouraged. Boy child is rising,” he said on Facebook.

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