Panel 54 Podcast

Africa’s debt crisis is no longer just about economics — it’s about power, sovereignty, and the politics of influence. In this episode of Panel 54, economist Kevin Kigima Ng’ang’a joins Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh to unpack China’s “debt trap” and what it really means for the continent’s independence and future growth. From Zambia’s default to Kenya’s SGR repayments, Kevin separates myth from real...

In Episode 17 of Panel 54, hosts Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh sit down with Retired KAF Colonel, Seth Shava and former CIA Station Chief, Ralph Goff to unpack how artificial intelligence and drone warfare are reshaping security, sovereignty, and the future of conflict. The conversation explores the new face of war, where drones, data, and algorithms are as powerful as armies. From the battlefields...

In Episode 16 of Panel 54, hosts Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh sit down with veteran Kenyan diplomat, Tom Amolo and former Ambassador to Germany and US, to unpack Africa’s missing seat at the world’s top table. The conversation explores how diplomacy became one of Africa’s quiet strengths yet lost its strategic edge. From Kenya’s evolving foreign policy to Nigeria’s regional ambitions, from South Af...

In Episode 15 of Panel 54, Stella Agara a Governance and Youth Development Specialist joins Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh to unpack a continent at a crossroads, where young Africans are pushing back against corruption, foreign influence, and the quiet capture of democracy. From Kenya’s Gen Z protests to Malawi’s ballot revolution, from China’s growing economic footprint to the shadow of global inter...

Artificial Intelligence is no longer science fiction , it’s already reshaping how we learn, heal, farm, and tell stories. In this episode of Panel 54, Somoina Kimojino, Kenyan media and radio veteran, steps in to host while Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh are on assignment. She sits down with Charles Murito, Google’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Government Affairs & Public Policy, and...

Africa fuels the world with cobalt, cocoa, oil, and gold , yet still carries over $1.1 trillion in external debt. In this episode of Panel 54, hosts Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh sit with Edgar Wamalwa, a strategic consultant and project finance expert with over three decades in banking and infrastructure, to unpack Africa’s paradox of plenty. From Kenya’s ballooning public debt to the DRC’s cobalt...

In this episode of Panel 54, hosts Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh sit down with journalist Tom Mukhwana and author Babior Newton to tackle one of the biggest questions of our time: who gets to tell Africa’s story? We dive deep into the media and power dynamics that shape the global narrative, asking the tough questions: Why do conflicts in Sudan and the DRC go largely ignored while Ukraine and Gaza d...

China in Africa: Progress or Plunder? They call it development. hosts Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh sit down with Jerotich Seii — humanitarian, social justice advocate, and active citizen  to rip open the myth of China’s “partnership” with Africa. From ports in Djibouti to debt-laden railways in Nairobi, Jerotich asks what no leader will: are we selling our sovereignty for shiny infrastructure, lett...

In this special conversation, Panel 54 brings together sports manager Cynthia Mumbo, sports scientist and broadcaster Musa Abdi, Chris Ochieng (Gor Mahia striker), and Elly Asiete (Mathare FC captain) with hosts Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh to explore football’s grip on Africa, from CHAN pride to Premier League passion. The discussion moves beyond the game itself into identity, business, and politi...

In Part Two of this conversation with His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of Ghana, the discussion moves beyond the early years and into the heart of his presidency, from ushering in Ghana’s golden age of business to striking oil, reforming health and education, and navigating diplomacy across Africa. He reflects on the challenges of leadership, Africa’s economic future, and the l...

In this special two-part, on-location interview, Waweru Njoroge sits down in Accra, Ghana with His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of the Republic of Ghana and one of Africa’s most respected statesmen. Part One traces his journey from Kumasi’s royal roots to Oxford’s law halls, to Ghana’s presidency and beyond. We explore the early life that shaped “The Gentle Giant,” his role in...

In this episode of Panel 54, public intellectual and scholar Prof. Peter Kagwanja joins Waweru and Nduh for an unflinching conversation on the nature and function of violence in Africa. From colonial brutality to the tactics of modern regimes and resistance movements, Kagwanja explores how violence has become a tool — not just for survival or protest, but for control, manipulation, and power. Is v...

In this episode of Panel 54, investigative journalist and editor Mbugua Ng'anga joins Waweru and Nduh for a revealing conversation about the slow death of media neutrality in Africa. As global powers like China invest heavily in newsrooms and training programs, soft power—not censorship—is reshaping what counts as news. Sponsored content is no longer the exception; it is becoming the default. They...

In this episode of Panel 54, youth advocate and policy analyst Winnie Kabinti joins Waweru and Ndu  for a sharp and unfiltered look at the promise and problems of Pan-Africanism today. From Nkrumah’s original vision to the fragmented realities of modern leadership, they explore whether unity still means something or if it has become just a convenient slogan. As Africa’s under-27 majority grows mor...

In this episode of Panel 54, former Kenyan Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga joins Waweru and Nduh for a powerful conversation on how civic space is being dismantled across East Africa. From protest bans in Uganda and press crackdowns in Tanzania to Kenya’s quiet rise in surveillance, Dr. Mutunga breaks down how governments are using legal systems and fear—not force—to control citizens. Together, th...

In this third episode of Panel 54, investigative journalist Tom Mukhwana joins Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh for a sharp, unfiltered conversation on Gen Z activism across Africa. From Nigeria’s #EndSARS to Kenya’s anti-finance bill protests and South Africa’s Fees Must Fall, we explore how a digital first generation is reshaping the idea of youth power. Are social led movements a genuine political f...

In this powerful second episode of Panel 54, former Kenya Air Force Commander and Top Gun graduate Colonel Seth Shava joins hosts Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh to expose the truth behind Africa’s role in global defence. From foreign military bases to joint drills and surveillance ops, Africa is hosting the war but not writing the rules. So we ask: is the continent building real capacity, or just exe...

Welcome to the debut episode of Panel 54, where real power meets real perspective. Hosts Waweru Njoroge, a seasoned Kenyan journalist media disruptor and strategist, and Ndu Okoh, a fearless cultural critic, media maven and journalist take you beyond the headlines into the heart of Africa’s most urgent conversations. In this first episode, they unpack the rise and fall of media trust in Africa. Is...