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. 

The Hall of Fame is to honor and celebrate the achievements of our acclaimed Artistes. 

In The Hall of Fame we induct Talented Artistes who over the years have brought Joy and Happiness to millions of Kenyans and others across the world. Comedians, Actors, Writers, Story Tellers, Solo Musicians and Groups both Traditional and Modern, Acrobats, Dancers, Radio & Television Personalities, Club Deejays & Performers and even Sportsman have played a part in bringing Joy and Happiness into our lives.

I use the word ‘Talent’ as an Artiste is a Talent. This is a God Given Gift and not everybody has it. 

Kenya has its fair share of unbelievable Talent that has graced the Stage not only in Kenya but in different parts of this beautiful planet. From the very early days of celebrities, such as Fadhili William of the world famous ‘Malaika’ song, Radio & Television personalities Stephen Kikumu, Joab Isaac Mwamto & Norbert Okare, Performing Groups such as the Eagles Band of Nashil Pichen, Ashantis Band – one of Kenya's pioneer groups to perform overseas, Peter Colmore one of Kenya’s first producers and promoter of local talent. 

Post Independence celebrity Radio & Club DeeJays, Joe Mwangi & DJ Dave Frank, Limbo & Fire Eating Wizard,’ D’ Rocky, Comedians Mzee Pembe and Mzee Tamaa bin Tamaa.  

In the 70's, 80's thro to the 90's we saw  the likes Kelly Brown & Slim Ali, The Mushrooms, Maroon Commandos, Mombasa Roots & Safari Sounds Bands, Radio & Television celebrities, Leonard Mambo Mbotela, Fred Obachi Machoka, George Opiyo or the fast talking Radio and Club DJ, Abdulhaq – ‘with the longest Q’, African Cabaret Troupe, Safari Cats, comedians Mzee Ojuang and Mutiso, Club DJ’s, Aloise ’Gor Biro’, DJ-Buffalo and DJ ‘Fine’ Sattar.  

In the FM Radio era and Ragga & Hip Hop era come the likes of Redsan, Nameless, Poxi Presha and Divas Amani & Princess Julle, comedians Redykulass, Radio & T.V. personalities, Caroline Mutoku, Jimmy Gathu, Maina Kageni and Club Deejays Pinye to name the very few and many others that have  touched the Hearts of millions with their Style and Talent. They all have placed Kenya on the International scene through sheer hard work, dedication, discipline and ‘Talent’. 

These are your Idols. 

It is now time for you to give something back to them as priceless as can be. Nominate Your Idol for Induction into the Prestigious "Hall of Fame". Who do you think deserves a place in the Hall of Fame, Who changed the face of their field, were they Good Role Models, were they Mentors, did they carry our National Colours with Pride and Honor Internationally, Were they Trend Setters, who are they; it’s only you who can tell. 

Send us your Nominations and reasons as to ‘Why you Feel’ your Nominee should be inducted in "The Kenya Entertainers Hall of Fame".  

Radio has been the main source of Information, Education & Entertainment in Africa and many of the under developed and developing world for centuries. Kenya is no exception. For decades Kenyans have idolized their favourite Broadcasters and treated them as special, almost like royalty.

Media personalities have been in most occasions more popular than politicians; I know the later will not agree with this, as might many who read this article, but as a veteran Radio & TV personality, I know this has been the case.

Audiences form an attachment with these celebrities to the extent of relating to them, for instance it is very common to hear a Radio Fan say, “Oh so and so is my distant cousin” etc. The celebrities in turn reciprocate by making personal special appearances at various functions, both commercial and charity, or develop a fan base keeping in touch with their fans, some going as far as responding to the huge fan mail on a regular basis or even accepting invitations to meet up with their fans. This is encouraging but very taxing. However, there are some who feel they are too special to give back to their fans and kind of look down on them, though that is the very few. These are those that fall by the roadside.

Success has its ups and downs like anything in life. Celebs who have survived over the years keeping pace with changing styles and audiences are those that have maintained dignity and respect.This is the clique of celebs who have shared their Talent with the up and coming generation; they have treated their audiences with respect and maintained closeness with their fans without going overboard in their Celeb-Fan relationship, which is in fact a professional relationship. After all it is these masses that give not only the celebs Ratings but also the respective media Intuitions they broadcast for.

Radio & Television, like political parties, has grown from the State owned Voice of Kenya, now Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, to the over 30 or more independent channels Kenyans enjoy today both on Radio and Television. Pioneers of the first fully independent private Station, Kenya Television Network and Capital FM, set the trend and soon the Radio authority started issuing Radio & Television licences for various interested groups that met their criteria and today Kenyans can choose whom to listen to and what to watch.

With the opening up of the ‘Air Waves’, Kenyans also saw the coming of fresh talent, the celeb list started growing and broadcast ethics relaxed to suit everyone. Programmes, Music and News output was now more varied and exciting, not that it was not before but when there is a variety one tends to shuffle the dial at ease.

All in all, this new era of Multi Media Houses created more Radio & Television celebrities, but reduced the Radio & TV fan craze that existed in the earlier days. At the same time Talent was not abundant, as no one had exploited this specialised trade. So what next, desperate Media Houses started hiring and training ‘On the Job’, as a result there was a lapse in quality presentation. As time went by fresh Talent trickled in and some of the Media Houses excelled above the National Broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, which still struggled to shed its old ‘Civil Service’ hangover.

Some legendary celebrities are still very much on the frontline in the industry and the new generation celebs are showing a lot of charisma and have built strong fan bases; so the fan fantasy lives on. On this page we will feature profiles of celebs that have made a mark in the industry. We will also honour and salute the ‘Unsung Talent’ of Radio & Television and keep you up to date with all the gossip around these celebs.

You too as an ardent fan of these celebs can send in your piece for publication on this page to Radio & Television Celebrity email bigq.unlimited@yahoo.co.uk 

As the old saying goes “Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder", whoever said that got it right. It really depends what ones culture considers Fashion, Design or Beauty.

African Beauty is natural. Africans have always looked beautiful and have had their own make up and herbal products for centuries. For instance, bathing soap existed in Egypt centuries before many others knew about it. The early Romans smeared themselves with olive oil, scrapped it off, and then dipped their bodies, en mass, in a bath the size of a pool and that was it.

Fashion & Design has been at the forefront in Kenya long before independence. The popular Beauty Pageant Miss Kenya had its inaugural contest during "Uhuru" Independence Day on December 12th 1963. Since then, Beauty Pageants and naturally talented Models, Male & Female have walked the "Cat Walk" with sheer elegance and class.

The Pioneers of Fashion in Kenya, Ms Evelyn Mungai and June Mbuthia did their best to groom many Kenyans in the world of Fashion & Beauty as did African Heritage in Nairobi and Toto Toto Industries of Bombululu, Mombasa.

Hair Design went hand in hand with Fashion & Beauty. Hair Stylists, Ms Salma Parmar, of the famous and probably the only Hair College at that time , ‘Kenya School of Hair Dressing’ on Kenyatta Avenue, groomed hundreds for occasions and Styled Hair of most if not all of our pioneer Models at that time. Today's celebrity Hair Stylist Farook Jannedy and Tariku have kept up with the Trend and contributed significantly to the ever creative images of the Kenya Hair Styles.

Kenya’s first generation Models, the likes of Bertha Chandrana, Laila Khan, and Mildred Owiti graced our Cat Walks with classic Kenyan Designs with the famous Kitenge & Khanga prints. Later Kenya saw the elegant Iman and Khadija Adam, a former Miss Kenya who became the first Kenyan to win the coveted ‘Miss Africa’ Title, stepping on to the Cat Walks of the world and gracing Fashion Magazine covers internationally, becoming celebrity Super Models.

Organisations such as International Distillers, makers of ‘Smirnoff’ initiated the National Annual ‘Smirnoff Fashion Awards’, thus creating the urge and need for young, gifted and talented Fashion and Hair Designers to work harder to come up with creative Designs to win the ‘Coveted’ Award.  

Statistics say that Kenyans, especially the ladies spend a fortune on Fashion, Hair Design and Beauty.

In this page our Fashion, Beauty and Hair Design ‘Guru’ will be looking at various aspects of this Elegant Field with regular updates and analysis to keep you in touch with the Fashions of Kenya and across the Continents.