Fans and fanatics of Kikuyu radio stations tune in at the top of every hour daily to listen to the latest news happenings within Gikuyuland and beyond.
However, not many of these listeners know the authoritative voices behind these news bulletins even though they have come to like and trust these news presenters to inform them about the daily happenings in their localities and elsewhere.
That said, there are as many Gikuyu news presenters as there are Gikuyu radio stations competing for the eardrums of respective listeners. Nevertheless, here we are only going to sample five of the best in this category.
But as you will realise, all the five presenters come from the two most listened to Kikuyu radio stations, Kameme and Inooro FM. So, who are they?
1. George Waweru. He is an alumnus of Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). He started his career at the KBC owned Coro FM before moving to Inooro FM where he worked until 2010.
Waweru who now presents news at Kameme FM which is owned by Mediamax Network, is a household name among Gikuyu listeners. His style of news presentation is second to none. Waweru is popular among other things for telling his listeners both the local and GMT time.
2. Muhia Wa Maina. He started off his news presentation career at the now-defunct Countryside FM which was owned by the former Naivasha MP John Mututho. In 2010 he moved to Royal Media's Inooro FM where his morning star continues to glow by day.
Keen listeners say that his style of news presentation is similar to that of George Waweru but this depends on individual perceptions. But who knows, maybe Waweru is his mentor in the trade.
3. Kihara Wa Gathua. He has presented evening news since Inooro FM was launched 15 years ago. Gathua's deep and authoritative voice makes him recognizable from far and is a favourite among all listeners, young and old.
He understands news presentation business so well to an extent that some insiders say that he can present a whole bulletin without a script.
4. Njogu Wa Wachira. He is another remnant of Countryside FM but he shot to the limelight when he joined Kameme FM eight years ago. Wachira who is known for dragging his deep voice while saying his name has come to be liked by many because of giving life to the news he presents.
While growing up, Wachira once said on air, he used to put an empty container on his head and present imaginary news, something he never knew he will come to do later in life.
5. Moses Kanyira. When he was disgracefully sacked from Kameme FM earlier this year over work-related issues, there was an uproar on social media among his fans who had even threatened to decamp with him to the station he would go to.
Kanyira who has since been rehired by Kameme is popular mainly for his funny and sometimes nonsensical theatrics at the end of the bulletin. He has also been instrumental in the fight against illicit brews that have rendered many Central Kenya youths 'useless'.
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