By Prudence Minayo
Journalists inform, entertain and keep us abreast with the daily happenings around the world. Then we have investigative journalists. They go out there risking their lives to unearth the ills that bedevil our society. One such journalist is Aisha Mwilu.
She tells stories that are well thought out and well reseached. At a young age, she has been to places most are afraid to venture, seen things that would shock many and won awards in the process.
This article takes the reader through her education, interesting stories she has covered and awards.
Education
The journalist is a proud alumni of the United States International University (USIU) where she studied Broadcast Journalism.
She also holds a Master’s Degree in documentary practice from the University of the Creative Arts in the United Kingdom.
Career
The documentary filmmaker first came into the limelight while working with the Standard Media Group as a reporter for KTN. While at the station, she covered special pieces and was the feature and documentaries editor. While at the station, she did a story dubbed “Terror Crossing.” This in depth documentary on the state/ insecurity at the Kenya Somali border in Mandera. The documentary showed the pitiful state of the border that allowed Al-Shabaab militants to come and go as they please. This story attracted attention worldwide and many commended her and the cameraman for the amazing coverage. She was also the leading editor of the 2018 controversial general elections. During her employment with KTN.
In 2018, Aisha left the Standard Media Group to join Royal Media Services where she worked in Citizen TV as the face of Special Assignments, in-depth stories told in documentary formats. Some of the interesting stories she covered were:
- Mara heist where she and the team exposed how top officials at the Maasai Mara University were bleeding the institution dry by stealing huge amounts of money.
- The burden of beauty. Showing what products people are using to bleach and why they are doing it.
After two years with RMS, Aisha Mwilu called it quits in order to concentrate her startup. She shared the news this week on twitter:
“ Some personal news. I am leaving @citizentvkenya to launch my start-up. I’ve worked under the guidance of the brilliant @jageyo @LinusKaikai @pamela_asigi and @JamilaMohamed.”
She went on to thank them and said she couldn’t wait to share her new project.
“ I thank you. I can’t wait to share my new projects with you! A hint of what’s next,” continued the former Citizen TV employee.
Awards
2013: Reporter of the year award by Media Council of Kenya for the documentary “Armies of the Underworld.”
2015-2016 Awarded the prestigious Chevening scholarship.
2016: won the CNN multichoice award for the “Terror Crossing” documentary. She was also named the best journalist in Africa.
