Finally, after a long wait that was worthy it, US President Barack Obama is finally setting foot in the country as the first ever sitting US President to visit the country.
Obama and his predecessors have visited neighbouring countries before as presidents, skipping Kenya openly, making us feel like we are looked down upon despite being the most developed country among the three from East Africa region.
Obama, Bush and Clinton have visited Uganda and Tanzania before, ignoring Kenya for reasons well known to themselves.
But finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel as Obama is set to set foot in Kenya, his father’s country where his grandmother Sarah Obama lives. Obama will be in the country on an official visit though.
And as we celebrate this news, it is time we start preparing for the homecoming of the ‘son of the land’. Kenya will surely be a king’s landing come July this year.
Interviews are likely to be conducted by Kenyan media houses and Ghafla Kenya has delved into some of the TV personalities who would give the best interview if they had a chance to host Barack Obama. This list, in whatsoever means, does not look down upon other journalists.
Julie Gichuru –Citizen TV
She is arguably the most decorated female anchor in Kenya. Through Julie, Citizen TV has grown to become one of the best and most watched TV stations in Kenya. Julie has experience in conducting interviews. She has hosted great men and women from Africa through her African Leadership Show. She is well traveled and has a fine masterly of the Queen’s language having schooled in Cardiff, Wales in the United Kingdom. Julie is also ever composed in front of cameras and above all she is so so photogenic. Above all, Julie was among the few journalists selected for the presidential debate in 2013 prior to the general elections. She did not disappoint. Julie perfectly fits to interview Obama.
Jeff Koinange – KTN
Oooh my! What a show!
Jeff has worked before for the CNN, an established international media which gave him a platform to travel far and wide to unearth some of the stories that have remained the greatest in history. Jeff has experience too spanning decades in the field of journalism. His ability to make an interview lively definitely gives him an edge over other journalists. Ever since returning into the country after working for CNN, Jeff has proved himself to the masses with wonderful shows like the Bench on K24 and The JKL show on KTN. He has been effective all along and fits the bill to be among the top journalists who would hold a prolific interview with Obama.
Alex Chamwada – Independent Content Producer
Arguably the best reporter and most experienced journalist Kenya has ever produced, Chamwada’s story just gives him a clean bill to interview Barack Obama. Having worked for the Kenyan media for over 20 years as an esteemed reporter, Chamwada harbours all the qualities that qualify him for the chance. He is academically well equipped having graduate with a masters in Political Communication from the University of Liverpool in the UK. Chamwada has also traversed the world, bringing every detail closer home and making the world a global village for many Kenyans. He has covered the US Presidential elections twice and the ICC cases several times. His knowledge in the field is incredible. He has met respected leaders from across the globe and conducted interviews with them. This definitely puts him at a better place to conduct an interview with Obama.
Linus Kaikai – NTV
He is NTV’s most respected interviewers having conducted very successful interviews before. Linus Kaikai was among the panel of journalists who conducted and directed the presidential election debate in 2013 prior to the general elections. Kaikai has also conducted some with president Uhuru Kenyatta and all have been a success. He has the zeal and ability to harvest the necessary responses from the interviewees. Linus fits here perfectly.
John Allan Namu – KTN
He is among the most revered investigative journalists in Kenya. Alongside his counterpart Mohammed Ali, Namu has unearthed some of the most secretive and untold stories of time. His ability to detect a lie in someone and demand for the truth puts him at a better place to bombard Obama with some of the most incisive questions. Namu has conducted interviews before and this won’t be a disappointment to him. He joins the rest in the race for the journalists to land an exclusive interview with Obama.
