• He said having worked at different departments at the media house has given him great understand of different issues affecting the continent, which is what he will be doing at the BBC.
• He had previously worked in different capacities under sports, politics, and current affairs, special features and as a multimedia editor.
Image: HANDOUT
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Focus on Africa presenter Waihiga Mwaura has opened up on how his 14 years at the Royal Media Services prepared him for his new role.
According to Waihiga, having worked in different departments at the media house has given him a great understanding of different issues affecting the continent, which is what he will be doing at the BBC.
He had previously worked in different capacities in sports, politics, and current affairs, special features, and as a multimedia editor.
"When you look at the focus on Africa, we're going to be looking at politics, it will be regional, Continental, you name it, we'll be looking at sports. We'll be looking at current affairs, we'll be looking at different things. And for me, having gotten the chance to work in each of these departments has given me a broader scope of the landscape."
"I want to add this to focus as we begin the broadcast later today (Monday), so for me, every step has been one of learning and I think, you know, combining all that has added to what we’ll start offering when we launch the program," Waihiga said.
The journalist said his short stint at the BBC after winning the Komla Dumor award also came in handy, as he was able to implement some of the lessons he picked from the three months period.
He spoke to the Star on Tuesday, ahead of the relaunch of BBC's Focus on Africa and Dira ya Dunia shows, which will begin airing from the Nairobi studios.
Dira ya Dunia will be hosted by Roncliffe Odit.
Image: HANDOUT
Waihiga recently joined the British broadcaster as a senior lead presenter for BBC Focus on Africa.
The event will also include the launch of the Focus on Africa podcast, which will be hosted by renowned BBC journalist Audrey Brown.
On how he intends to connect with the younger African audience following the relaunch, Waihiga said the show looks to empower journalists to explore the digital space where one can easily reach the younger audience.
He said they have also incorporated other production and broadcasting plans from within the continent using people young Africans related with.
"You are interviewing me today for a digital audience. The digital arena has changed everything, even consumption as well and we're aware of that. Expect digital storytelling methods like you've never seen before. It's more explainers because young people no longer need to be told what the news is. They've already seen it on Twitter, but they do want to understand why it matters and how it's relevant to them."
"Also expect more African experts with varied views to be on the program and expect to see a lot of young experts coming on we want to talk to a lot of young change-makers we want. We hope to have a situation where as a young person you watch Focus on Africa and you see people you can identify with," Waihiga added.
To his fans, Waihiga said the show is coming home.
"I'm hoping that they'll join me on this new journey at Focus on Africa. We've got a lot to offer for them both on legacy platforms and on digital as well and so I want to really invite them to join me on this journey, but I also want to thank them. Without them, I would not be where I am and who I am today."