Kenyan Journalist Quits BBC After Stellar Two Years
Ian Wafula, a Kenyan journalist, has left the BBC after nearly two years there.
Wafula, who previously worked as the BBC’s Africa Security Correspondent, announced on Monday evening that he will become a freelance journalist.
The acclaimed reporter recalled covering hostilities in nations such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, and Sudan, which he said was a difficult assignment.
Wafula has made considerable progress since joining the English television network.
“After nearly two years as BBC Africa Security Correspondent, I’m going freelance,” Wafula wrote on his X account.
“Covering conflicts like Sudan, Mozambique, and the DRC was tough, but sharing the stories of those impacted was fulfilling.”
After nearly 2 years as BBC Africa Security Correspondent, I'm going freelance. Covering conflicts like Sudan, Mozambique & DRC was tough, but sharing the stories of those impacted was fulfilling. In deed of expert media skills and analysis? Let's collaborate: ianwafula@gmail.com
— Ian Wafula (@Ian_Wafula) February 3, 2025
After joining the BBC in September 2022, one of his first responsibilities was to anchor a programme called Focus on Africa, which he began in London before moving to Nairobi.
The BBC’s main news and current affairs programme, Focus on Africa, airs on the World Service and covers the African continent.
Similarly, in 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic began, Wafula was granted the post of senior presenter for The Breakdown, a special broadcast on the BBC.
The program attempted to help viewers make sense of the worldwide health crisis. The show aired on 32 partner stations in 18 countries, including Kenya.
Wafula, a prolific journalist, has also received numerous awards, including Africa Fact Checker of the Year in 2019.
He got the award for presenting and reporting on Factfinder, a show about media literacy and fact-checking.
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In addition to working for the BBC, Ian has worked for local Kenyan TV stations, including K24 from 2015 to 2018 and KTN from 2014 to 2015.
Wafula was tasked with hosting a breakfast show called K24 Alfajiri, a current affairs program that examined some of the country’s trending retailers.
Meanwhile, at KTN, he worked on the investigative desk, where he reported on some of the most important security news stories, including security challenges in northern Kenya.
Wafula earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Daystar University in Nairobi and a Master’s Degree in International Journalism from Cardiff University as a Chevening Scholarship recipient.
Kenyan Journalist Quits BBC After Stellar Two Years
