Peter Theuri
(He/Him)
As seen in:
The Standard (Kenya),
AllAfrica,
Genetic Literacy Project,
Table.Briefings,
CIO East Africa,
Informer East Africa
Covers:
Economy, Agriculture, Politics, Science, Sports and Lifestyle, Climate change.
Geospatial Eng (UoN). Ex Senior Reporter @StandardKenya. IJP Fellow 2024. ASLI Scholar 2024. Table Briefings Contributor. BIC Top 40 Writers Kenya. Scientist.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Feature story on problems in Kenya's main food basket.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No, not ever.
How is social media changing news?
Both negatively and positively. In a rush for quick clicks, a lot of misinformation goes unchecked. But also, there is timely dissemination.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Quite a number- cannot name one.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To inform society, but also to shape opinion for many who might not be immediately interested but who def need to be.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
A plethora. But of course key editing and fact-checking ones.
What's your favorite social network?
X
Who do you wish followed you?
Barack Obama. That would be a dream come true. And some top scientist, such as Neil deGrasse Tyson. Or Kip Thorne.
Why did you become a journalist?
I am very curious and wanted to keep interrogating happenings around me.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes, yes I did. I was a writer, and a prolific one at that.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Kenya's realistic chances at improving her economic standing to 2nd, even 1st, world.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
To always be curious. And to remain factual no matter what.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Travel to Dubai, cover the MEE. Proved worthwhile.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
An interview with a local politician who loved to tell a lie.
What's your favorite drink?
Citrus.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On the football pitch. Or in bed.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Guardian, New York Times,
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it is all about good writing. A lot of research goes into it.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.