Fare thee well Waweru Mburu: veteran broadcaster laid to rest in Murang’a

Veteran broadcaster, Peter Waweru Mburu, was laid to rest at his Punda Milia farm, Murang’a County in a grand and emotional farewell this Friday.

Mourners, led by Royal Media Services Chairman Dr. S.K. Macharia, eulogised Mburu – who passed away last week after a battle with gastric cancer –  as a gifted and fearless defender of the truth.

“The first employee to go on air (when we launched Royal Media Services) is the one we are celebrating here. When we started out, we did not have a studio – we used a bank’s strong room at AM Bank House. That’s where Waweru Mburu started a show called Wembe Wa Citizen…He would fearlessly call out the government, private citizens and institutions when they were on the wrong,” Dr. Macharia recalled.

After 17 years of service to the company, Dr. Macharia credited the late Mburu for being instrumental in growing Radio Citizen into the leading brand that it is today.

“He is one of the most trustworthy employees that Royal Media Services has lost. He started with it; he has built that radio we are hearing about (Radio Citizen). He has changed this country tremendously,” Dr. Macharia added.

Royal Media Services Chief Operating Officer, Farida Karoney, lauded the late journalist for upholding media ethics and fighting for the rights of the common mwananchi.

“Our work is to serve the common person; to ensure that that which is due to them is not taken away from them. I can say without fear of contradiction that nobody lived those values better than Waweru,” said Ms Karoney.

Fred Afune, Programmes Director at Royal Media Services, praised Mburu for being a compassionate boss – one who was believed in second chances.

“In the 14 years I worked with him, we only agreed to let go of a staff member twice…and even then, after about an hour or so, he would call me back and tell me: ‘Fred I have been thinking about this boy, and I think I’ll talk to him…hii ni mzigo yangu (he is my burden)’,” Mr Afune recalled.

Group Managing Director Wachira Waruru said that Mburu’s immense contribution to the radio industry merits a mention in the country’s history books.

“When the history of radio in Kenya is written, surely there should be a chapter on Waweru Mburu. He was a social and political commentator, and he was the voice of the common mwananchi,” he said.

Tears flowed freely when Mburu’s spoke, especially when they recalled their last moments with him.

His wife of 23 years, Bridget Waithera, said that Mburu’s passing has hit the family hard, and they were at a loss of what to do next.

“It is not easy. It is not easy at all. We do not know where to start; I am yet to sit down to think about it. But I know that God is with us,” Mrs Waithera said.

The father of three’s first born, Anthony Mburu, promised to honor his late father’s legacy by taking care of his mother and siblings.

Those who were unable to attend the sendoff mourned the late broadcaster on social media, with many saying they will miss listening to his show.

R.I.P Waweru Mburu we will miss you since replacing you is Impossible.

— Sar.Qobiqom (@QobiQom) October 8, 2016

Rest In Eternal Peace veteran Radio Broadcaster Peter Waweru Mburu.
Your memories will forever remain.

— Kush Juma (@Kush_Juma) October 7, 2016

Rest in eternal peace, Waweru Mburu.