Patrick Igunza is a seasoned TV business reporter and host at Citizen TV and is also a radio host/producer at Hot 96 FM. He joined the giant Royal Media Services in March 2014 from Media Max owned K24. He has travelled the world telling stories related to business. Igunza has also made a name for himself as an MC, moderator and a host of business and social dialogues targeting the youth.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Background
The news anchor is the last born in a family of seven, four girls and three boys. He was born in the leafy suburbs of Karen. His father worked at Karen country club while his mother at Kazuri beads. After his father retired from the country club, his mother also stopped working around the same time. They moved to Racecourse in Dagoretti, where life was a bit different from Karen.
Education
After completing primary school, he attended St. Gabriel’s High School in Lindi near Kibera. In a candid interview on eDaily, Igunza recounted how he was given an option by his mother to either repeat class 8 or be admitted in a cheap school to allow his two siblings clear high school. The news anchor opted for the latter. He told the online publication:
When I finished Primary School, my brother and sister were still in high school, and so my mum told me that they were financially incapable of accommodating a third child in high school. So, they gave me an option of either repeating Standard 8 for my sister to clear secondary school, – or get admitted to any cheap school that was available.
Afterwards, he moved to Yatta Mixed Secondary School where he met his future wife. While in school, he loved hip hop and would entertain people during school festivals and talent shows.
He studied Mass Media, majoring in TV and Radio production at Multimedia University between 2006-2009. Being a father while in college meant he had to work hard. He bought a camera and would sell photos to students and the general public.
Career
Igunza currently is a senior business reporter and anchor at Citizen TV. He first started off as an intern at the station making history as the first student from Kenya College of Communication Technology, now Multimedia University, to intern at Citizen TV. He was among the first interns to go on air at the leading TV station in Kenya.
In 2013, he had a brief sojourn at K24 where he hosted Inside Business before he found his way back to Citizen TV.
Igunza is also a radio host at Hot 96 where he has a daily evening show known as Hot Drive. The show airs from 3pm to 7pm. The journalist also unveiled Uradi,- business show. This is the first ever business show to be aired in Sheng’ targeting youth entrepreneurs mainly in their twenties and thirties.
It is a show where struggling entrepreneurs can learn a thing or two. Having been a tout once at Machakos, Patrick understands the meaning of hustling. It airs every Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm. The show premiered in 2018 with the first guest being the chairman of Matatu Owners Association in Nairobi Christopher Muia.
Marriage
Patrick married his high school sweetheart. The two moved in together soon after completing their O-levels and have been together for 16 years. He is a devoted father of three.
Igunza got his first child while he was a Second Year certificate student in 2007. The then 22 year old had to juggle between class and being a provider for his new born child and wife. Before completing his Third Year, he had his second born child.
His mother was accommodative enough and did not chase him away when he told her that his girlfriend was pregnant.
“Marriage has taught me to be a good father. A happy father and a rich father is he whose children run into his arms even when his arms are empty- presence of being there for your kids. Your kids must know that you are fighting to bring food on the table…..,” he once said.
Career Highlights
Patrick Igunza moderated the high profile European Union External Plan Presentation meeting. He was also at the steering wheel during the 254 Young Entrepreneurship Awards and Mentorship programme.
