Flora Limukii: 24-Yr-Old TV47 Anchor Speaks On Debut Visit To State House

24-year-old TV47 news anchor and political reporter Flora Limukii on Thursday, May 18 became one of the little-known members of the media present at State House, Nairobi when President William Ruto hosted the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.

Limukii took to Twitter to share her photos from the high-profile event, donning a black dress that was in line with the colour code of the rest of the journalists and esteemed guests who graced the press briefing between Ruto and Loong.

The Generation Z reporter who has been a constant feature even during national events expressed her delight at visiting State House for the highly-anticipated press briefing, terming it a milestone in her young career.

"Hata nisipokua President siku moja at least nimefika Ikulu (Even if I don't become a President one day, at least I got to State House). At SH (State House) for the press briefing by President William Ruto and Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong," she tweeted.

President William Ruto with the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong during a media briefing at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, May 18, 2023. /PCS

Speaking to Viral Tea, the viral journalist who gained more than 7,000 followers on Twitter in three months to stand at more than 16,100, opened up on her own intrigues of touring the highest house in the country, in person, on official duties for the first time.

Like her experienced peers who have toured the State House for interviews with Presidents for years, Limukii observed the changes made during President Ruto's tenure, including the friendly atmosphere that ran up to the security manning the entrances, a change of hospitality from former President Uhuru Kenyatta's term.

"It was amazing, the first day on a work basis. It’s thrilling because of how inaccessible it is

"It's a great opportunity to meet and connect with the ones who work in those environs. Surprisingly people there are so friendly from guards to the President’s spokesperson," she told Viral Tea.

On Monday, January 9, the managing editor of newsroom production at the Nation Media Group (NMG), James Smart, described his experience of his visit to State House for a joint media interview with President Ruto on Wednesday, January 4, explaining how difficult it was for journalists to access State House during Uhuru's term, an experience he described as one that created discomfort.

"As a rule, your phone was confiscated by mean-looking security officers at the gates before you were led away to some tent or a waiting room. Then came the long wait.

"Then President Uhuru Kenyatta, and his handlers, had invented what was informally referred to as the Standard State House Time (SST). A media briefing slated for noon could start at 3 pm — or even 7 pm. Journalists got used to this State House hospitality, a house of restrictions and seemingly with no functioning clocks," he explained.

The journalists got to the State House's infamous 'Gate B' in fear that they would have their freedoms stripped from them again, only to be met with shock after learning that the security officers were not going to confiscate their phones, one of the many changes they would encounter with the new administration as the interview took place.

Ruto's predecessor had created an aura of fear around similar media roundtables, with him and his handlers being keen to make sure journalists understand who was in charge. In comparison, Ruto divorced that past as the journalists learned that he was keen on turning State House into an office and not a residence.

The change to a friendly aura around the official residence of the President appears to have blown open a window of opportunity for young journalists deployed on field duties to stamp their authority in the media industry.

Limukii's case almost mirrored that of SPM Buzz reporter, Liz Jackson, who became an overnight celebrity following her behind-the-scenes meeting with Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua on November 9, 2022.

She was captured fielding a catchy question to Presidents Ruto and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa after they both agreed to lift the visa regulations between the two nations, with the former responding to her question first.