KTN’s Anne Kiguta Talks About Her Tough Life & Career Success

She is sassy, beautiful and a jewel that KTN would find hard to replace if she ever decided to look the other way (get poached) She spoke to Elleafrique Magazine and below is an excerpt of that interview.
Who is Anne Kiguta?
I am 28 years old and the last of four girls. I grew up in an average Kenyan family. We weren’t wealthy and my parents made it abundantly clear that I had to work for everything I wanted in life. So I learnt the values of work, determination and tenacity quite early in life.
My upbringing was difficult because I was raised in a home where my father physically assaulted my mother and on occasion my sisters and myself. It was a very painful experience by many beautiful things have come out of that including the work I do with Kenyan families. i am part of various mentor-ship programmes in Kenya for women and girls with save the children as a child nutrition advocate. I am also a mother to the coolest kid I know, Sasha.
How did you get into television?

I’ve always loved language. English literature was my favourite in school. I have always had what I think is an above average sense of curiosity. Asking questions was in built. After my A levels I took a gap year to figure out what I wanted. It just so happens that my local church was setting up a radio station and was looking for presenters.
I got the job and the rest is history. I worked at Hope FM then News market leader at Capital FM for a total of seven years before venturing into TV. Oddly enough, I did my screen test while I was pregnant a very prominent baby bump. they told me to return after I had the baby and I did!
How is the competition with the male counterparts? Are you all treated as equals or not?
Media is a testosterone driven business. No we are not treated like equals. but its up to you to make your presence felt and take your position. I have faced my fair of chauvinism. Even now, with some male peers, they still from time to time talk down to women.
Having said that I have also had the fortune to work work with great men in this business who didn’t shoo me away from their offices with my million questions as a young journalist. The challenges have become a powerful motivator for me. I strive to be doubly good at what I do. Having said that, who wants to be treated as equals? I’m a woman, specially designed by my creator to bring things to life. I was made for greatness.
Treat me special because I am!
Is it true that you had to literally fight with another female anchor for the top position?
Haha. No. But isn’t that the story that some bloggers would love to tell! It is as if women can’t get ahead without cat-fights or sleeping around. Any way, I do not shy away from challenges or opportunity. I do my homework and put my best foot forward always!  I focus on Anne. I’m her number one cheerleader and her fiercest critic. I don’t look over my shoulder to see who is doing what. I have my mission and my purpose and I’m determined to accomplish it. I have been blessed to achieve many firsts throughout my career. First to go straight to prime time, being the youngest to hold several editorial positions etc. These things did not come on a silver platter. They have come through a lot of prayer and hard work. I’m proud of my accomplishments and thankful for the opportunity to do what I do.
What do you do when you are not working?
I go about with my mission with women and children across the country. I find it deeply rewarding and it is my way of building Kenya. I love to hang with my daughter. We do a lot of dancing and eating! I’ve also recently joined the gym and found it very rewarding! Then of course there is Friday night with my girls.
We could laugh for days on end sipping on red wine.
Do you have a family of your own/are you planning to have any/are you dating?
As mentioned, I have a gorgeous three year old. She is my joy and means the wide world to me. I am seeing someone. I’m taking it a day at a time and enjoying the journey. Living, loving, learning.
Men find you very sexy. How does that make you feel?
Haha. Very sexy? Haha. Well it is nice to get a compliment. How does it make me feel? To be honest I don’t think about it until someone does ask. It feels nice and kind of awkward really. I prefer to get compliments based on the work I do rather than how I look.

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