Unsung Talent In this page we look at the people who have been either in the Media or Entertainment Scene but their Talent and contributions to industry has been erased, mainly due to the fact that we have never maintained any form of records to remember these ladies and gentlemen of the industry who too have played a significant role in bringing joy and happiness to us in many ways either through their Radio & Television expertise or Music or any form of Entertainment. As Big Q Entertainment Unlimited is all about Entertainment, Music, Radio & Television, I feel our site will not be complete without a brief of these geniuses. We do hope that we can get a lot of assistance from you all out there as history is written not by one but by many, and we are confident that we will get a lot of input from people of all walks of life with some vital information and names of Artistes that we may not have with us. Artistes, who have graced our Radio & Television Programmes,Entertained us or left us with lasting memories but they have never been ‘Sung’. Radio & Television Sammy Osore - Television presenter, featured prominently on TV current affairs programme Mambo Leo, died in a Tragic Road Accident. He was once asked to spell his name he wrote “ Oh Sorry” when pronounced simply sounds Osore. Mohammed Said ‘Giraffe’ - Radio & Television personality, also featured on TV Programme Mambo Leo, died tragically in a road accident on Mombasa Highway. Mohammed Ali - A Charismatic TV personality and producer of current affairs programme Mambo Leo, killed in a tragic road accident on Nakuru/Nairobi Highway. Jim Ahere - Television producer for current affairs and musicals, killed in a tragic road accident on Nairobi/Nakuru Highway. Fatuma Hassan - Popular Radio presenter on Voice of Kenya National Service, killed in tragic road accident in Nairobi. Dan Olouch - A very charming personality, an eloquent speaker of the English Language, presenter and producer on Radio and occasionally presented Mambo Leo, died after a long illness. Dan was very creative and introduced a number of Radio Feature programmes on the Voice of Kenya that to date are still running. James Ogoma King - As the name implies, James’s physique was that of a King, heavy built but soft spoken. James was one of the three that introduced Kenyans to the world of Radio Sports News, with his production of Radio Sports Club that he produced and presented with passion and dedication for decades until he succumbed to a long illness and passed away. Sports lovers in Kenya will always cherish his memories. Victor Odak Omala - Another sports veteran and co producer/presenter of Radio Sports Club. Victor made tremendous contributions to the Broadcast world. He initiated a number of feature and current affairs programmes on the Radio and was one of the pioneers of the popular “Live Radio Dance Hall’ Shows that swept Kenya like bush fire in the mid eighties all through the nineties. Victor later headed one of the Radio Channels at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and finally setting up a production house with other prominent Radio personalities. Victor died after a long fight with illness. Billy Omalla - Born and bred in Mombasa, Billy started playing the guitar all through high school and was of the chosen few from the thousands of school children from the coast and Kenya as a whole to join a Moral Re-armament Christian Group, ‘Sing Out Mombasa’, a wing of the National Group ‘Sing Out Africa’. Here he met DJ Abdulhaq and Teddy Kalanda and Lenny Wa Nganga, a musician now turned herbalist, who were all part of the same musical group. Billy was an excellent News Reader and a good Morning Show presenter with the Voice of Kenya’s National Service. He made his name through Salaam Programmes and once said; that he wished Broadcasters had as much money in their wallets as the many salaam cards fans pass on to them. Billy has since died after a long battle with ill health. Ike Mulembo – ‘Ike on the Mike’, as he was popularly referred to, started his Broadcast career as a TV Traffic Controller and was a great fan of DJ AbdulhaQ. He frequented the Radio Studios whenever DJ AbdulhaQ was doing his thing and together with John Obongo Jr and now TV cameraman Gordas Wahome, were AbdulhaQ’s assistants. They were always there to lend a hand whenever required and eventually trying their luck in their heroes trade. Both John and Ike became household names and Ike followed his idols style and footsteps in every aspect. Ike’s death was a shocker to all in the Music and Entertainment world; he just dropped dead on the streets of Nairobi one mid day and with him went his style. Fatma Rehman - An elegant TV presenter, at a time when TV presentation was not only Beauty but one had to have presentation and production skills. A TV continuity announcer, which is the right terminology, or programme anchor, were also expected to act as transmission controllers, and that is no mean feat for those who know what it entails. Fatma resigned from the then Voice of Kenya to go abroad where she later died after a long illness. Kenyans will always remember her charming presentation skills. Johnstone Omurunga – A soft spoken, new generation Radio Presenter that partnered celebrity Radio Deejay John Karani. They both trained at the same time at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication and were ushered onto the scene simultaneously. Quite popular with Radio Salaam Fans, Johnstone left us prematurely after succumbing to illness and died very young. Emmanuel Oywero - Emmanuel joined Kenya Broadcasting Corporation after an illustrious career as an oil company Marketing Executive. One may wonder why we feature Emmanuel on this page, it is simply because Emmanuel changed the face of Radio & Television Marketing in Kenya. With the backing of the then Managing Director of The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Philip Okundi, he opened the doors for private investors, to buy ‘Air Time’ on both Radio & Television and created new productions which hence boosted the sales revenue of this parastatal body. One of the first to grab the opportunity was DJ AbdulhaQ, who signed a deal with the State Corporation to Market and Manage the ‘Hindustani Radio Service’, which he christened,’ Capital Que Radio Production, 89.9FM, this revamped the dying service and soon Emmanuel and his team were working on the launch of the first Semi Independent FM Radio Station, 101.1 Metro FM. Kenya Broadcasting Corporation was looking ahead and as broadcast leaders in the land Emmanuel and his team took KBC to heights never witnessed before. He eventually left the corporation and later died after a long battle with ill health. Daniel Njuguna Gatei - Announcer extraordinaire, Daniel had all the qualities of a Radio & Television personality. He was good looking, eloquent in his speech, outgoing, creative and very charming. Like all pre and post independence Broadcast celebrities, Daniel was of that rare Talent that was chosen to go on Radio in those times. He presented the Morning Show, Je, Hujambo, on VOK National Service. He hosted a number of Television Shows including the Weekly ‘Dunia Wiki Hii’, read News on Radio & Television and during his later days was one of the commentators that worked for the Prestigious, ‘Presidential Press Unit’, a regular in all National and ceremonial commentary teams. ‘The Gentleman Broadcaster’ was a man of class and style. He loved his pin striped suits and always had his hair done at the popular Wananchi Barbers Salon on River Road. He was a person always ready dressed and made up for Television even when he was not ‘On Air’. Legendary Daniel Njuguna Gatei, died after an illness and was buried at his home in Central Province, Kenya, in a funeral attended by hundreds, including politicians, government officials, Media people, celebrities and hundreds of his dedicated fans. Gaituma wa Kimumu - One of the finest vernacular announcers Kenyans have had the privilege to listen to before the FM Radio era. Gaithuma, started his Show by giving a description of his features ‘On Air’, with a special emphasis on his big round eyes and big hands, and quoting him said, “ that’s what makes me special”. Gaithuma was no ordinary Radio Presenter, he was a showman. He toured the country, on the ‘Meet the people’ Tour. He had a following larger than life. He was the Kikuyu Service, as the Kikuyu service without Gaithuma, was like a plate of Sukuma without salt, (sukuma is a spring green that Kenyans love to have as an accompaniment with any of their meals). He and his close confidant, Ben Michuki, who worked in the Voice of Kenya, records Library, also produced a number of Kikuyu Artistes. Another casualty of premature death, Gaithuma wa Kimumu, the only man with the biggest round eyes to ever grace the Kenya Radio Scene finally succumbed to a long illness. His style and charisma is still adopted by many vernacular broadcasters to date. Morrex Muteti wa Muli - A product of The Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Nairobi, Muteti wa Muli as he preferred to be called, was one of those that captured the hearts of Radio fans with his style of presentation on the Kikamba Service. He put the Kamba Musicians on the Kenyan map, hence Artistes like Kai Kai Kilonzo, broke the ice on the Music Scene and started singing in Swahili and Kikamba and this earned them National recognition. Muteti wa Muli was adored by his fans and like Gaithuma wa Kimumu on the other side he toured the Eastern Province and many areas surrounding Nairobi to meet his fans. Morrex Muteti wa Muli also died after a long illness.
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Thursday, 05 February 2009 |
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The Talent and Joy the following Radio & T.V personalities have shared with Kenyans and the rest of the East African Regions over the years have really made a difference in our everyday life. This to bring to your attention, some of these date as far back as the early seventies. Clara Wakesho A television anchor that was joy to watch. Clara had all the qualities of what any broadcast station would be proud of. Rose Adagala started her career as one of the actors in the then Voice of Kenya. Her strong personality and presentation skills were soon noticed and she was put on the television continuity list. Zipporah Simani Soft spoken and very popular with her viewers, Zipporah was joy to watch as television anchor. Beatrice Takween Marshall A new era of talent that stepped onto the scene with eloquence and style, Beatrice was a joy to work with. Margaret Mutungi set off her career in the Documentary film department, then VOK, and slowly crept into the newsroom as reader/caster for KBC. Esther Musso Another new crop of the 90’s. Esther, like Ann, had eloquence of both the languages and style in her ward robe. Ann Ofula is one host many of the younger viewers will relate to, as an anchor for KBC or producer for its children’s programmes, Ann was keen to perform to the mark. Known for her choice of her wardrobe that always included a matching head gear, Ann portrayed an elegant African tradition. Peggy Kabae The first generation of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication television production group, Peggy an ex- Kenya High student was in a class of her own in the production sector. Whether producing or directing musicals, documentaries or drama Peggy had that touch the stood above the rest. Her achievements were rewarded by many honours that she received locally and internationally. Gabriel Haiti Watita another product from the Institute was very creative in TV musicals and pioneer in the change of the production style of then VOK. Haiti took his productions to outside locations and looked for the cream in the industry for his works. R.I.P. Gilbert ‘G.G.’ Githere The first GG I had ever known, Gilbert grew up in the railway quarters both in Mombasa and Nairobi, and like any child growing up in the railways during the colonial times were privileged. Gilbert had an ear for music and an eye for art & drama. He produced some of the hottest musicals of the seventies and eighties on TV and like Peggy was honoured for his talent both locally and internationally. He married and moved to Hawaii, and since we have not heard from him. I do hope someone who comes across this piece will pass it on. Mambo Hazary Great producer/director of television drama, Mambo, no relationship with celebrity Lenny Mambo, his productions has been an inspiration to the current era. George Menoe desrves a mention on this page. Our brother from South Africa, George was an inspirartion to many aspiring actors and instrumental in giving greater opportunities to young African actors step up onto the scene at the Kenya National Theatre, which was then a reserve of the white community. Ngutah Francis is a weather man I will always cherish. He tried to make his presentation trendy and entertaining.As you read through these short profiles of the personalities who have contributed in shaping our media & entertainment industry to what it is today, the editor welcomes your views and suggestions to improve this history. We at Big Q have taken the initiative to pen together a few lines beginning with the early years of this cut throat industry and slowly keep up with time to recognise the present generation of their great talent. This cannot be achieved by us alone, your contribution and participation is vital. Our industry has to spread its wings and put pen to paper for the future generations to understand and have track of our roots in these fields. The likes of the current celebrities have grown up admiring the forgotten talent in the industry and the same will happen as time goes by to the current talent. This can only be tapped and respected through pages like these and people like you who browse our pages and write back to us with constructive criticism and positive suggestions. The internet is the passage to visit and share information with the rest of the world, so let us have more profiles and names that you know has been part of the industry but we have not as yet featured. |
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Tuesday, 03 February 2009 |
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Radio & T.V. Sammy Lui Wangond’u Charismatic first generation broadcasters when elegance and finesse prevailed, Sammy had all the qualities of this first generation of our broadcast celebrities. Whether presenting a programme, or presenting the news on Radio or T.V. or commentating ‘Live’ in any Ceremonial or Sports event, which, by the way, was Sammy’s speciality, he did in style and a class of his own. Sammy rose through the administrative ranks in Broadcasting House Nairobi to become Head of Kiswahili Service and was Acting Radio Controller. He later moved on to join the private sector in a Marketing and PR capacity. He is still freelance and presents on various channels. Alfred Mike Muriethi aka ‘Ching Boy’ One of the first Radio Broadcasters I had the privilege to listen to as a child. Listening to his famous ‘Ching, Ching, Ching’, Ching Mara Tatu, (Kiswahili meaning knock three times), the programme was so well presented and listeners will never forget Alfred’s infectious laugh in the programme. He was also an excellent all rounder presenting the News and ‘Live’ OB Broadcasts. Monica Kabeberi To many who have been in the Entertainment business in Kenya, whether Radio, T.V., Recording companies, Musicians, Music Store Proprietors or even Entertainment feature journalists of the 70’s & 80’s, Monica Kabeberi’s , name is always synonymous with the Voice Of Kenya’s records library. Well, let me introduce you to one fine Lady, who was tougher than Mrs Thatcher and principled to the bone, that is, the former Chief Librarian at the, then, Voice of Kenya records and tapes library. She was instrumental in developing one of the most treasured Records and tapes library in the Commonwealth. She developed the musical repertoire of the library that is an envy of many. She had excellent contact with both local and international music distributors and that was about the only time that Deejays, on radio had current international & local releases ready for them at the station, no hassle of chasing night club deejays or Airline crews for musicIf there is a Talent worth a mention on this page it is Monica Kabeberi, who through her sheer dedication and love for the Artistic World made people in the Entertainment Industry proud by inspiring Radio Deejays feature quality entertainment without bias. ‘Mahajam’ Mike Andrews ‘Every Sunday Morning, comes the Sound of Today, Sounds like Hits’ that was the opening statement of Mike Andrew’s popular Sunday Morning Top of the Pops programme, ‘Sounds like Hits’, sponsored by Pepsi Cola. He got you going on a Sunday Morning waking you up with a heavy head after a long night Clubbing, and at 10.30am, East African Standard time, blaring away ‘On Air’ was the famous ‘Mahanjam’ Mike who always referred to Charley Pride as having his roots in the Central Province, you can guess why, in those days Country & Western Music of Dolly Parton and Jim Reeves was hot cake in the Mount Kenya Belt, Mike was also a very successful business man and was Director of A.I.T. Records, one of the main recording and distribution Music Groups of the day. A keen sportsperson who enjoyed his Rugby Mike’s noisy Sunday morning’s will always live in our Memories. For the much younger Radio & T.V. fans we will detail most of these celebrities in future clips and post their photos as we receive them. Miki Cardovillis The boy from Rumuruti, Nyahururu, and Miki made his name both as Radio and Club deejay. The first generation deejays, Miki had a style and presence that left his competitors nowhere near him, he also had finesse in him and was very daring, in his entertainment endeavours, always venturing into something new and exciting. In the Mid 70’s he was in the front line of signing and recording local Talent and as radio deejay presenting sponsored commercial programmes he had an upper hand in his promotional campaigns as commercial programmes did not encounter censoring of Music output the way in house Radio Musicals suffered at the then Voice of Kenya. I recall once we were asked not to play, Marvin Gaye’s Sexual healing, guess what, it was too obscene. George ‘Yahoo’ Fombe Sound Recordist extra ordinary, George was nicknamed ‘yahoo’ by fans and entertainers. He got the name ‘Yahoo’, as he kind of branded his works and events Yahoo, like a gang name. To have your radio programme recorded by George was a privilege, he was reputed as one of the finest studio Engineers in East and Central Africa. He was so respected in the industry that musicians from as far as The Congo who frequented Kenya in the 70’s and 80’s for performance insisted on George as their recording engineer. . Together with Miki the pair produced a number of local Artistes, the likes of Cavaliers, and was on a number of occasions assigned as event and album promoters by local Entertainment and production Houses. The pair in partnership with P.L. Daudia of Melodica Music Store also launched the hit ‘Money, Money, Money’ by the O’ Jays for the Kenyan Market. This was about the time that I had just graduated from the Institute of Mass Communication and had hit the National Radio big time, and what a privilege it was for me to be offered a good drink by these two local celebrities, at the famous Club 1900 for my good work on the ‘Air Play’ I had given this single. George, now a legend in the industry still sees the sky as the limit. Steve Ndesanjo another talented sound recordist was groomed by George Fombe at the famous High Fidelity Studios that were owned by production entrepreneur Simon Ndesanjo also an Ex- Voice of Kenya first generation Radio presenter/producer, and an elder brother to Steve Ndesanjo. Steve was known for his patience and tolerance with recording artiste, who we all know at times, can be a handful. In the later days Steve moved on to join ‘Gido and Suzanne at Samwati Studios, in Riara Ridge, Nairobi. Joseph Kiema: Great person, gifted Radio and T.V. personalities, popularly known within the Broadcasting circles as ‘Kaka sungura’, Joseph Kiema, the young, gifted and black of yester years, was a force to reckon with in the Media industry.Like many of the first generation Broadcasters, Joseph was an all rounder, and when I say all rounder, I mean he was an all rounder, he did News, Radio presentations, commentaries and commercial voice over, and he was one of the few that excelled both on Radio and TV. I felt privileged whenever assigned to work with him as Radio commentator for the then General service. One such trip that I always recall took us across the Central and Rift Valley provinces as commentators for the Safari Rally in the late 70’s. Just before reporting to the Navaisha Control point we stopped by at a nearby joint to quench our thirst with a quick drink. As soon as we walked into the pub, his fans mobbed him and showered him with drinks and just did not want to let go. Even veteran politician, Mr Kariuki Chotara, who owned the place couldn’t keep away. We were showered with gifts and almost lost track of our mission, The Safari Rally, of course.Mr Kiema retired honourably from the limelight to his popular Mariakani Farm, I say popular as he always used to sing out loud that one day I will leave all this fame and fortune, oops, did I say fortune, oh No, not with Voice of Kenya, anyway behind and retire to my farm in Mariakani. Job Isaac Mwamto Popularly referred to as Mwamto, Job was greatest. I know that terminology is a reserve for boxer Muhammad Ali, but in broadcasting terms in Kenya is that era, there was no comparison. His style, popularity and confidence on the air waves, there was no one broadcaster who could match Bwana Mwamto. He enjoyed listenership from far and wide. He had in audience the top cream of the country to the beggar on the streets. Young broadcasters loved to emulate his style. A friend to all and principled in his stand against any unfair play that was very common at Broadcasting House, Nairobi. His demise was sudden and shook the Nation. Q |
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Tuesday, 03 February 2009 |
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Friday, 13 April 2007 |
In the next few lines we acknowledge the contribution of the many that also shared their Talent and touched the hearts of many. These little known people helped shape the world of Radio & Television in Kenya and East Africa as whole .The Talent you are about to meet has been part of this Artistic field from pre Independence Era and we feature all those to this date, that their song has not being sang as loud as the popular front line celebrities. These gifted people that are not often credited for their contributions are also celebrities in their own right. Said Omari Kasongo - a Kiswahili broadcaster, who moved to Kenya from neighbouring Tanzania, established his name as presenter of the then popular ‘Sanyo Juu, Sanyo Tops’ Musical on Radio. Elizabeth Akinyi - post independence Radio presenter who stayed on till the 80’s. Elizabeth Obege – a radio presenter, known for her husky voice and outspoken nature is a wonderful person to know. Amina Fakhii - If there were an announcer with a natural flowing, gifted voice that never aged and excellent dialect in Swahili, Amina is the one and only, she has graced the Kenya wavelengths from the 60’s to date. Khadija Ali - started her broadcast career as a dramatist on the famous radio plays. She later ventured into Radio and Television presentation and finally became Station Manager, Pwani FM, a wing of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, based in Mombasa. Zainab Mussa - another great voice that faded away as fast as she arrived. Twalat Hamisi - One of the many Machakos born presenters that walked the corridors of broadcasting house, Twalat had an excellent News Presentation voice. Swaleh Athumani - another one from Machakos that graced the Radio. Aisha Mohammed - Machakos groomed, Aisha had a different approach to Radio, her presentation skills were less aggressive and very coastal. Juweriya Omari - Yet another one from Machakos, J as she preferred to be called, was good at presenting Late Night programme, Lala Salama, and featured local Artistes more than the popular Congolese Music that had monopolised Radio at the time. Eddy Fondo - popularly known as MDJ, Mr Riiiiight!!!! Eddy was Broadcasting Houses reincarnate of Celebrity broadcaster the late Job Isaac Mwamto; with a massive following Eddy was an ardent fan of Congolese Music. Mohammed Rama - mainly a commercial based Radio presenter, made his mark after the demise of Said Omari Kasongo, when he stepped in to present ‘Sanyo Juu, Sanyo Tops’, programme. Leonard Mwashegwa - A product of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Lenny was known for his style of speech, which was very coastal, and his love for African Artiste. He presented the Afternoon Show, ‘Beat Time’, what many Stations today refer to as ‘Drive Time’. Lenny rose through the administrative ranks to head the English Service. KBC. He currently runs a Club and a Production House, ‘Top Comm’, in Nairobi. Thomas ‘Noel’ Kazungu - One of the first generation products from the Institute of Mass Communication, Tom is a born Broadcaster, he made his mark in the 70’s with his bi-lingual Radio Show, Saturday Special show, on the then Voice of Kenya. He currently runs a Production House, Top Comm, and a Club in partnership with Lenny Mwashegwa. Joseph Kazungu Katana - Another Talent from the Institute of Mass Communication, Joseph was very creative, he introduced a number of programmes on Radio and was the pioneer in translating the lyrics of the then popular Congolese music that had dominated the National service, Voice of Kenya and most local joints. Currently working with the American Embassy, Nairobi, he was known for his popular slogan, ‘Aluta Continua’. Amos Njogu - Like his name Amos was soft spoken and gentle, the crop of presenters that adapted the colonial hangover of Radio presentation and Music selection. Amos was a wizard at his presentation of the programme ‘Sun Downer’ and was known for a very relaxed presentation of ‘The Breakfast Club Show’ on radio. Peter Njoroge aka Njoroge wa Mwaura - Peter was what Radio needed in the early 70’s. Peter was good at his job and a great researcher before a show. Peter presented Breakfast Club in style, loud mouthed and very open with his listeners. He moved on to seek better pastures abroad, finally coming back to Nairobi to join Kenya Television Network. Josephat Ngigi - What ‘was’ Sundowner, without Josephat Ngigi’. He knew his audience and his compilation for a ‘Sundown’ was just right. I wonder if Kenyans still ‘Sundown’ today the way they did with Josephat Ngigi ‘On Air’. Ben Muriethi – known as, ‘Beautiful Ben’, yes his shows were beautiful and good, moved out early to pursue a career with BBC, London, currently runs his own production House in Nairobi. Elizabeth Omollo – popularly known as Aunty Elizabeth, was the first generation of lady presenters on the then Voice of Kenya, General Service. Better known for her children’s programme, ‘Hello Children’ that many children grew up listening to, and her News Presentation on Radio & T.V. Sam Madoka - another commercial Radio Programmes Presenter. Sam was very popular with his Sunday, afternoon, Radio Show. He also ventured into acting and an emcee for concerts. He currently runs a successful Advertising Agency in Nairobi. Martin Billy Mutta - first generation radio presenters, who presented programmes such as ‘Yours for the Asking’, a programme that was later given its current ‘celebrity’ status by DJ AbdulhaQ. Billy later presented News and currently runs a Film Company. Hassan Mazoa - better known by many as a disciplined administrator, Hassan was a genius in the trade. One loved to listen to his style, his eloquent articulation of the language, whether English or Kiswahili, Hassan was a rare commodity. Oscar Beauttah - another first generation Radio and TV presenter, Oscar was an excellent Broadcaster. |
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Unsung Talent