Ian Wafula: Details Of Ex-KTN Anchor's New Role At BBC

Former Kenya Television Network (KTN) journalist, Ian Wafula, has rejoined the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), taking up a new role that will involve him dealing with matters of security.

Wafula announced on social media that he took up the role of Africa Security Correspondent for the BBC, which has its Africa bureau at Riverside in Nairobi.

He announced that his new role will involve comprehensive coverage of the intricate security dynamics across the African continent.

Wafula expressed excitement at starting in the unique role and thanked her friends and family as well as his editors for guiding him throughout his journalism career.

Ian Wafula poses for a photo in protective gear on October 2, 2023. /IAN WAFULA

"I am now the Africa Security Correspondent for the BBC based in Nairobi. Looking forward to covering the continent and learning from its complex security nuances.

"Special thanks to my friends & family for being my constant cheerleaders. As well as my editors Juliet Njeri, Vera Kwakofi & Newton Ndebu for believing in me. Let’s go!" he wrote.

He showcased photos of himself donning protective gear consisting of a mix of black and blue spread across his bulletproof vest and helmet, indicating the magnitude of his assignment that awaits him.

Wafula will be expected to cover terrorism, cyber-security, spying and other related issues in Africa. He will also keep the public informed about the issues surrounding security and how it affects people.

He may often travel to foreign countries during events such as wartime to observe the activities, investigate the issues and speak with people who live and work in the area.

Depending on the topic he will investigate, Wafula may stay in safe areas or report from the front lines of an active conflict. He will typically interview both military personnel and civilians to understand the different perspectives of those involved.

Wafula last worked at the BBC from 2018 to 2022 as both a senior presenter and a journalist based in Nairobi and in London, United Kingdom (UK). He was part of the team working on Focus on Africa in London, where he played a pivotal role in transitioning the program to its current location in Nairobi.

Focus on Africa is BBC's flagship news and current affairs program dedicated to covering the African continent, broadcast on the World Service.

In 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he took on the role of Senior Presenter for The Breakdown, a special BBC Africa TV program designed to help audiences navigate the crisis.

The show was broadcast on 32 partner stations across 18 countries. In 2018, he presented and reported for Fact Finder, a program focused on media literacy and fact-checking, which led to his nomination for the Africa Check Fact Checker of the Year 2019 award.

He went to the UK to study for his Master's degree in International Journalism at Cardiff University.

Before joining the BBC, Wafula worked at K24 TV, where he was the host of K24 Alfajiri, a breakfast current affairs show that analysed some of the top stories in Kenya.

He had also worked for Standard Group Limited as a reporter with KTN investigative desk. Here he covered some of Kenya’s security stories.