From Inooro FM Star to Farmer Advocate Waithira Muithirania’s Journey

Waithira Muithirania, whose full name is Evelyn Waithira Muithirania, is a veteran Kikuyu-language broadcaster, farmers’ rights advocate, entrepreneur, and politician.

Waithira is widely known for her long and successful career at Inooro FM and for the nickname “Baruthi wa Urimi” (Farming Ambassador).

She built a loyal audience across Central Kenya through her commitment to championing the interests of small-scale farmers.

In addition, she is regarded as one of the most influential female voices in vernacular radio.

Waithira is credited with using media as a platform for grassroots advocacy and civic education.

Speaking during an interview with Metha ya Kagoni in the Legends interview section, Waithira stated that through Inooro, she empowered local farmers.

“The paradigm shift in the life of farmers is the one thing I am proud of from Inooro programs,” Waithira Muithirania explained.

Early Life and Family

Waithira was born and raised in Kandara Constituency in Murang’a.

As a child, she was fascinated by promotional caravans and roadshows that traveled through villages.

Waithira has often said in her interviews that her father was very supportive of the family and worked as a mason.

Although Waithira has not publicly disclosed how many siblings she has, she has clarified that all her siblings attended secondary school.

In her personal life, the farming advocate has two children but has openly stated that she is unmarried.

Educational Background

Waithira attended Guthuru Primary School and Githunguri High School in Murang’a.

However, when she was in Form Two, Waithira Muithirania transferred to Gatanga Girls before pursuing training in journalism and communication.

After completing her secondary education, her late younger sister was joining Form Two at the time.

She later joined the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) and then the University of Nairobi, where she pursued mass communication.

Waithira Muithirania’s Professional Media Career

Waithira began her professional broadcasting journey at Coro FM.

Her breakthrough came when she joined Coro FM, the Kikuyu-language station operated by the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), shortly after the station was launched as a 24-hour broadcaster.

She later joined Inooro FM, becoming part of the pioneering team that helped establish the station as one of Kenya’s leading vernacular broadcasters.

At Inooro FM, she initially hosted the mid-morning program “Thiririka” before moving to the popular breakfast show “Hagaria.”

The show was co-hosted alongside prominent personalities, including Njogu wa Njoroge and, later, Kamau wa Kang’ethe.

The “Baruthi wa Urimi” Legacy

Waithira became especially known for advocating for farmers, earning her the nickname “Baruthi wa Urimi,” meaning the Ambassador of Farming.

The title became her trademark and reflected her dedication to ensuring that agricultural issues remained part of public discourse.

Her contribution to community development and farmer empowerment was later recognized through a Head of State Commendation (HSC) awarded during the presidency of Mwai Kibaki.

Politics and Public Service

In 2017, Waithira resigned from Inooro FM to contest the Murang’a Woman Representative seat as an independent candidate.

Although she lost to incumbent Sabina Chege, she received more than 100,000 votes, a result that was widely viewed as impressive for a first-time independent candidate.

Following the election, she shifted her focus to business, civic engagement, and community programs rather than returning to her former radio role.

She continued to promote legal awareness through initiatives such as “Menya Kihoto Giaku” (Know Your Rights), a program that educates Kenyans about constitutional and legal rights.

In 2019, she was appointed to the board of Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) for a three-year term.

During the 2022 General Election, Waithira again sought the Murang’a Woman Representative seat on a Jubilee Party ticket but was unsuccessful.

Later in 2022, she expressed interest in contesting the Kandara Constituency parliamentary seat following the appointment of Alice Wahome to the Cabinet.