Kenyans Hail Sam Gituku For Pinning Down William Ruto With Witty Questions: "Genius"

• During President William Ruto's roundtable interview, Citizen TV's Sam Gituku stole the show by asking hard-hitting questions
• For instance, without fear, Gituku pinned down Ruto over the housing levy and how it was changed from being a fund to a tax
• Some Kenyans praised Gituku, arguing his line of questions exposed the inconsistencies within the Kenya Kwanza government

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kenyans have praised journalist Sam Gituku for shooting sharp-witted questions during an interview with President William Ruto.

On Sunday, December 17, the president held a roundtable media interview at State House, Nairobi.

The bold Sam Gituku

During the interview, several journalists representing different media houses questioned the president about the state of the nation.

However, Citizen TV journalist Sam Gituku stole the show by asking witty but well-researched questions to the president.

For instance, without fear, Gituku pinned down Ruto over the controversial housing levy and why it was changed from a fund to a tax.

Here is a typed snippet of their communication:

Sam Gituku: Mr. President did Kenyans tell you they want a levy?

William Ruto: No. They told me they wanted jobs.

Sam Gituku: But when the same people told you they don't want it, you changed it from a fund to tax.

Sam Gituku: Do you know how much you have so far collected for the housing project?

Ruto: KSh 60 billion per month.

Sam Gituku: KSh 60 billion?

Ruto: Yes.

Sam Gituku: KSh 60 billion?

Ruto: Yes.

Sam Gituku: So you will have collected KSh 720 billion in 1 year?

Ruto: I meant KSh 6 billion

How Kenyans praised Sam Gituku

Kenyans took to social media to hail Gituku for his composure and for passing non-provocative but well-researched questions to the president.

Henry Kabogo:

"Sam Gituku, may the light shine upon you. Remember not to vend professionalism for anything including fear, money, or taking unnecessary sides."

MUHAMMAD ONYANGO:

"Man's tome has changed. Tough questions coming in thick and fast. Sam Gituku is doing the lords work."

Gachunga Kiiru :

"I have come to realise president William Ruto is trying to avoid Sam Gituku."

Goddie:

"Man of the day. Sam Gituku."

The Government Critic:

"Sam Gituku is so genius and articulate, the man is arguing with facts, records and giving examples."

Why did Moses Kuria get annoyed on TV

In a related story, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria lost his temper after Gituku presented figures showing the prices of food items had gone up under Ruto's administration.

During an interview, Gituku presented an approximate cost of cooking oil per litre in the country as of September 13, 2023, as KSh 340, down from KSh 450 on the same date last year.

However, when Kuria was challenged to present evidence to support his figures, he got emotional and accused the journalist of always falsifying facts.

He accused the TV station of attempting to incite Kenyans against the Kenya Kwanza government by presenting false data.