Renowned for his infectious enthusiasm and effervescent persona, Gathuki Mundu, also known as Wakasungula, has emerged as one of the most cherished sports commentators gracing the Kikuyu radio waves.
Surprisingly, despite his illustrious career in the media, Gathuki has never set foot inside a journalism classroom. This is the story of his journey, narrated through the lens of MURANGANEWS.
Background
Gathuki Mundu, originally named Washington Gathuki Kinyua Nyambura, hails from Kandara in Murang’a County. He completed his primary education there before relocating to Nyeri for his high school years.
It was during his high school days that Gathuki’s musical talents began to shine, leading to the exhilarating experience of having one of his songs played on the radio for the first time in 1999. Subsequently, he enrolled at Jomo Kenyatta University to pursue a degree in computer engineering and technology, successfully graduating in 2006.
Radio Stardom
Gathuki embarked on his career journey as an intern in the IT department at Royal Media’s Inooro FM. However, fueled by his passion for journalism, he managed to persuade Zullu Thiong’o, the then-head of Inooro FM, to grant him an opportunity as a voice-over artist and presenter.
His debut on the airwaves was marked by a late-night show he co-hosted alongside Jeff Kuria. During his tenure at Inooro FM, Gathuki pioneered the celebrated Ngogoyo show, which is now hosted by Kamau wa Kangethe. Notably, it was during this period that he earned the moniker ‘Gathuki Mundu,’ loosely translating to ‘a tree stump resembling a person,’ bestowed upon him by a fellow presenter.
Around the same time, Radio Africa Group launched the now-popular Radio Jambo. Gathuki seized this opportunity and applied for a position as a sports journalist at the station. This move enabled him to collaborate with renowned personalities like Carol Radull and Maina Kageni, and it even led to him commentating on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he acquired the nickname Wakasungula from one of the players. He also worked as a stand-in presenter at Kiss 100 and Classic 105, co-hosting sports programs on Saturdays.
Kameme FM
In 2013, Gathuki joined Media Max-owned Milele FM and actively participated in campaigning for former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Following a reshuffle at Milele FM, the father of four was designated as a permanent presenter at Media Max-owned Kameme FM.
At Kameme FM, he gained fame as a sports commentator, expertly managing his roles at Kameme, Milele FM, and K24 TV simultaneously. Presently, Gathuki hosts the Saturday afternoon Nyama Choma mix show on Kameme FM, sharing the stage with DJ Jay 254. Additionally, he presides over another show titled Zilizopendwa on Sunday afternoons, where, alongside DJ Jay, he breathes life into Kikuyu music from the past.
Beyond his radio career, Gathuki is a highly sought-after Master of Ceremonies and a musician. He has collaborated with notable Kikuyu musicians, including Sammy K.
