Kajairo's Show Canned?
SMH!Rejoice all ye who were not impressed with "Kajairo's musical comedy show". It appears your prayers were heard and answered.
Yesterday, the show did not air and word out is the management received a lot of negative feedback about it with many saying it was bringing the station's quality down.
The show ran for a month and we doubt if there is anybody out there who will miss it.
Kajairo of the music remix fame this week hosted his own show the Kajairo show. Zile old problems that dog the show industry haunted him mbaya! poor organisation, bad lighting, unclear sound marred the show from the beginning. What pisses me most is how guys in "Twirra" hated on this fella with their pathetic updates!! Kajairo needs encouragement not kuingiliwa!!!
However on Facebook, he said the show will be back!
Nancy Baraza Fiasco
Nancy Baraza saga is just not going away. Some people have decided to immortalize her with action packed photo shopped images. Here are some of the photo shopped Nancy Baraza images doing rounds on the internet.
The guard said Ms Baraza ignored the security desk – at which all people entering the mall are frisked – before going to various shops.
The guard told the police that she told Ms Baraza that she was to be frisked but she walked away.
Things got out of hand, the report says, when the deputy chief justice finished her shopping.
She went to the car before coming back to the security guard and threatened to shoot her, the report says, if she persisted in what Ms Baraza is alleged to have termed as humiliating her.
‘Unfortunate’
The Commissioner of Police, Mathew Iteere, has confirmed the investigation.
Ms Baraza has described the alleged incident as “unfortunate” but said she would not comment more since the matter was being investigated by the police.
Security has been tightened in all public places since Kenya invaded Somalia in October to kick out al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab fighters.
Kenya blamed the Somalia-based militants for bomb attacks and kidnappings.
There has been a string of recent attacks in Kenya, the latest one targeting New Year’s Day revellers in Garissa, North Eastern Province, in which five people were killed.
It is now common practice in Kenya for people to be frisked or be scanned with metal detectors before they are allowed in shops, theatres and even places of prayer.
The guard said Ms Baraza ignored the security desk – at which all people entering the mall are frisked – before going to various shops.
The guard told the police that she told Ms Baraza that she was to be frisked but she walked away.
Things got out of hand, the report says, when the deputy chief justice finished her shopping.
She went to the car before coming back to the security guard and threatened to shoot her, the report says, if she persisted in what Ms Baraza is alleged to have termed as humiliating her.
‘Unfortunate’The Commissioner of Police, Mathew Iteere, has confirmed the investigation.
Ms Baraza has described the alleged incident as “unfortunate” but said she would not comment more since the matter was being investigated by the police.
Security has been tightened in all public places since Kenya invaded Somalia in October to kick out al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab fighters.Kenya blamed the Somalia-based militants for bomb attacks and kidnappings.
There has been a string of recent attacks in Kenya, the latest one targeting New Year’s Day revellers in Garissa, North Eastern Province, in which five people were killed.
It is now common practice in Kenya for people to be frisked or be scanned with metal detectors before they are allowed in shops, theatres and even places of prayer.
Bracing for 2012 takeover
As the New Year fill beautiful days with glowing joyous spirit in many a music fans heart, it is business unusual in showbiz. Top local stars are falling over themselves performing while the new acts get set to break out in studios. STEVENS MUENDO unveils musicians to look out for this year
Away from the pomp and wild celebrations, that ushered the New Year, fast-rising hip-hop act Octopizzo remained caged in his little studio. The rapper was fine tuning and brushing up his yet-to-be released new singles, Octo-Montana and Bila Sonko — two controversial rap songs.
"I couldn’t just wait for 2012. This is my year. Let us see who springs out with the first hit and get this game on," said the Kibera-bred hit maker. He exuded confidence that indeed he is the star to watch this year.
Octopizzo is breathing new lease of life in the showbiz arena, showcasing rare lyrical genius and clever word-play. The underground star can no longer be wished away.
"I am here to spearhead a lyrical revolution in the underground and commercial showbiz game. My music addresses issues in the political and social scene. I call it Edu-tainment," Octopizzo explains.
And Octopizzo is not alone in claiming a breakthrough this year.
On New Year’s Eve, Angela Ndambuki aka Rabbo of Tattuu, also spent half the day in studio. She was penning her new Ogopa Deejays single expected to hit the airwaves in a few months.
Her debut solo effort Nipe Nafasi (featuring Frasha), released five months ago, is gaining ground in local showbiz charts.
"This is my big solo artiste breakthrough year. For the first time, I am without my fellow Tattuu pals. I want to affirm my presence in showbiz charts and shows. This is something I had wanted to do for years," says Angie.
Indeed, the showbiz revolution sweeping across Africa with fresh acts dislodging old guards has finally reached Kenya.
New artistes sprouted towards the end of last year with irresistible charm that even the old stars could not assume their arrival. The likes of Size 8, Avril, Kendi, Octopizzo, Rabbit, Camp Mulla and BMF claimed their stake while some big names fell on the wayside. And unlike the usual time frame of five years when new acts sprout out new acts, they are here to takeover the industry.
Size 8If going freelance has ever worked for any artiste in Kenya, then that would be sassy singer Size 8. She left Calif Records mid-last year due to differences between her and the stable. Ironically, Size 8’s star shone brighter when she was expected to go down. The release of her new single Fire ignited her energetic presence in the showbiz industry and as the year came to a close, she was rated the most popular newcomer in the showbiz industry. She has four new tracks set for release and yes, it’s game on to her rivals.
RabbitThis is yet another hip-hop rapper to watch this year. The Sneed Music signed-up rapper burst into the limelight last year with hits like Tales of Kaka Sungura, Dodoma (featuring Harry Kimani), Prodigal Son and Jam Nakam. His genius lyrical flare gives him an edge against many newcomers and more so his great new work, which has a team of professionals advising and working for him. His 17-track album, complete with documentary inserts, is set for launch in April.
"My music is mature and on point. This is the year of the Rabbit," he adds.
KendiShe is the new hot thing from Calif who has everyone talking. She has now won the tag name, The Calif Diva. Having made her debut two years ago as Mejja’s back-up singer in the hit single Mwanisema, Kendi went ahead to release Wasiwasi and Kuwa na Wewe (featuring Ala-C). The two ballads gave Kendi a face and after releasing Nipe Boy (featuring Jimw@t) in October last year, the chocolate girl is now enjoying her breakthrough. Many argue that Kendi is headed to showbiz stardom.
"The last quarter of of last year was great for me. Since August, I was booked for concerts every weekend. This means fans are now embracing my music. This year looks promising as it is the year I plan to launch my debut album," Kendi remarks.
"I have yet to release singles featuring Sana (Sanaipei Tande), Jua Cali and Mejja. I am now in studio working on more music, some of which will feature Kenrazy and Habida. It will be a matter of good timing as I launch each in the coming months. It is my year of musical triumph," she asserts.
Vanika Vanika was the latest showbiz name to emerge last year after Pulse discovered her recording her debut single at Homeboyz studios. The well-endowed songstress with a powerful vocal prowess is set for breakthrough. Besides having great singing talent, Vanika has a full managerial and marketing team. When she sings Wife Material in her yet to be released single, you will be sure that our judgment is right. The Wife Material video will be out in March ahead of her debut album launch set for August.
Ala-CAfter staying under the shadows in Calif Studios working under popular stars, Ala-C has finally come out of his shell. After releasing, Kuwa na Wewe (featuring Kendi) last year, the versatile singer released Wapi Nimuone on Christmas Day, a club song whose video is set to be launched this month. Ala-C and C-So are the new faces to watch from the reputable Calif Entertainment stable.
"I don’t want to pre-empt anything now. I have worked on several collabos with a number of stars and 2012 is looking good. Watch this space," he observes.
Kevoh YoutHe is the new face of gospel reggae and dancehall music. And yes, he is prodigiously talented. Kevoh Yout launched his debut album, Determination in November and is now set to reap from his many years of labour.
"My messages are simply inspirational and encouraging, and in many ways prophetic. I view my songs as sermons with beats. Think of songs like Ghetto Prophecy and Determination, that address the harsh conditions in the ghetto, the Mtaa Mentality they end up with and encouraging them that they can make it, or urging guys to be focused in their walk with God, it’s all about trying to uplift people," Kevoh Yout explains.
AvrilBesides Angela Ndambuki, Avril and Marya are the other two divas Ogopa Deejays is expected to cash on this year. So there goes Avril once again, not only coming to Chokoza your 2012 but also destined to assert her presence as one of the successful secular singers in the country.
Avril is talented and versatile. She is working with one of the top recording stables in the country. She is easily lovable and enjoys a massive fanbase. With over three new hit songs waiting to hit the airwaves, we can only wish the best for Avril this year.
Victor Mbuvi and Kris E BabaGiven a chance to put my money on any gospel male artiste this year I would bank on two people; Kriss E Baba and Victor Mbuvi. In an overcrowded industry dominated by a few men (Daddy Owen, Juliani, Jimmy Gait and Ringtone), Victor Mbuvi and Kriss E Baba waded their way through the murky waters last year and left a lasting impression with their hit singles Kwata Kawaya and E Baba respectively.
Their styles stand out. Mbuvi is versatile and cuts through two worlds as he blends his native Kamba lyrics with sizzling modern beats. His two new singles, Mutui Museo and Meko ma Ngwatanio are set to be released soon.
Camp Mulla and BMFThey represen the face of new urban music in Kenya. Camp Mulla boasts of great skills rarely matched by any other rap group in the local music scene. Their debut album launch late last year with hit singles Party Don’t Stop announced their arrival as the group to watch this year. Their swagger and lyrical prowess can only be compared to that one of gospel hot kids BMF, the group expected to lead the revolution in the gospel music scene this year.
courtesy of standardmedia
Away from the pomp and wild celebrations, that ushered the New Year, fast-rising hip-hop act Octopizzo remained caged in his little studio. The rapper was fine tuning and brushing up his yet-to-be released new singles, Octo-Montana and Bila Sonko — two controversial rap songs.
"I couldn’t just wait for 2012. This is my year. Let us see who springs out with the first hit and get this game on," said the Kibera-bred hit maker. He exuded confidence that indeed he is the star to watch this year.
Octopizzo is breathing new lease of life in the showbiz arena, showcasing rare lyrical genius and clever word-play. The underground star can no longer be wished away.
"I am here to spearhead a lyrical revolution in the underground and commercial showbiz game. My music addresses issues in the political and social scene. I call it Edu-tainment," Octopizzo explains.
And Octopizzo is not alone in claiming a breakthrough this year.
On New Year’s Eve, Angela Ndambuki aka Rabbo of Tattuu, also spent half the day in studio. She was penning her new Ogopa Deejays single expected to hit the airwaves in a few months.
Her debut solo effort Nipe Nafasi (featuring Frasha), released five months ago, is gaining ground in local showbiz charts.
"This is my big solo artiste breakthrough year. For the first time, I am without my fellow Tattuu pals. I want to affirm my presence in showbiz charts and shows. This is something I had wanted to do for years," says Angie.
Indeed, the showbiz revolution sweeping across Africa with fresh acts dislodging old guards has finally reached Kenya.
New artistes sprouted towards the end of last year with irresistible charm that even the old stars could not assume their arrival. The likes of Size 8, Avril, Kendi, Octopizzo, Rabbit, Camp Mulla and BMF claimed their stake while some big names fell on the wayside. And unlike the usual time frame of five years when new acts sprout out new acts, they are here to takeover the industry.
Size 8If going freelance has ever worked for any artiste in Kenya, then that would be sassy singer Size 8. She left Calif Records mid-last year due to differences between her and the stable. Ironically, Size 8’s star shone brighter when she was expected to go down. The release of her new single Fire ignited her energetic presence in the showbiz industry and as the year came to a close, she was rated the most popular newcomer in the showbiz industry. She has four new tracks set for release and yes, it’s game on to her rivals.
RabbitThis is yet another hip-hop rapper to watch this year. The Sneed Music signed-up rapper burst into the limelight last year with hits like Tales of Kaka Sungura, Dodoma (featuring Harry Kimani), Prodigal Son and Jam Nakam. His genius lyrical flare gives him an edge against many newcomers and more so his great new work, which has a team of professionals advising and working for him. His 17-track album, complete with documentary inserts, is set for launch in April.
"My music is mature and on point. This is the year of the Rabbit," he adds.
KendiShe is the new hot thing from Calif who has everyone talking. She has now won the tag name, The Calif Diva. Having made her debut two years ago as Mejja’s back-up singer in the hit single Mwanisema, Kendi went ahead to release Wasiwasi and Kuwa na Wewe (featuring Ala-C). The two ballads gave Kendi a face and after releasing Nipe Boy (featuring Jimw@t) in October last year, the chocolate girl is now enjoying her breakthrough. Many argue that Kendi is headed to showbiz stardom.
"The last quarter of of last year was great for me. Since August, I was booked for concerts every weekend. This means fans are now embracing my music. This year looks promising as it is the year I plan to launch my debut album," Kendi remarks.
"I have yet to release singles featuring Sana (Sanaipei Tande), Jua Cali and Mejja. I am now in studio working on more music, some of which will feature Kenrazy and Habida. It will be a matter of good timing as I launch each in the coming months. It is my year of musical triumph," she asserts.
Vanika Vanika was the latest showbiz name to emerge last year after Pulse discovered her recording her debut single at Homeboyz studios. The well-endowed songstress with a powerful vocal prowess is set for breakthrough. Besides having great singing talent, Vanika has a full managerial and marketing team. When she sings Wife Material in her yet to be released single, you will be sure that our judgment is right. The Wife Material video will be out in March ahead of her debut album launch set for August.
Ala-CAfter staying under the shadows in Calif Studios working under popular stars, Ala-C has finally come out of his shell. After releasing, Kuwa na Wewe (featuring Kendi) last year, the versatile singer released Wapi Nimuone on Christmas Day, a club song whose video is set to be launched this month. Ala-C and C-So are the new faces to watch from the reputable Calif Entertainment stable.
"I don’t want to pre-empt anything now. I have worked on several collabos with a number of stars and 2012 is looking good. Watch this space," he observes.
Kevoh YoutHe is the new face of gospel reggae and dancehall music. And yes, he is prodigiously talented. Kevoh Yout launched his debut album, Determination in November and is now set to reap from his many years of labour.
"My messages are simply inspirational and encouraging, and in many ways prophetic. I view my songs as sermons with beats. Think of songs like Ghetto Prophecy and Determination, that address the harsh conditions in the ghetto, the Mtaa Mentality they end up with and encouraging them that they can make it, or urging guys to be focused in their walk with God, it’s all about trying to uplift people," Kevoh Yout explains.
AvrilBesides Angela Ndambuki, Avril and Marya are the other two divas Ogopa Deejays is expected to cash on this year. So there goes Avril once again, not only coming to Chokoza your 2012 but also destined to assert her presence as one of the successful secular singers in the country.
Avril is talented and versatile. She is working with one of the top recording stables in the country. She is easily lovable and enjoys a massive fanbase. With over three new hit songs waiting to hit the airwaves, we can only wish the best for Avril this year.
Victor Mbuvi and Kris E BabaGiven a chance to put my money on any gospel male artiste this year I would bank on two people; Kriss E Baba and Victor Mbuvi. In an overcrowded industry dominated by a few men (Daddy Owen, Juliani, Jimmy Gait and Ringtone), Victor Mbuvi and Kriss E Baba waded their way through the murky waters last year and left a lasting impression with their hit singles Kwata Kawaya and E Baba respectively.
Their styles stand out. Mbuvi is versatile and cuts through two worlds as he blends his native Kamba lyrics with sizzling modern beats. His two new singles, Mutui Museo and Meko ma Ngwatanio are set to be released soon.
Camp Mulla and BMFThey represen the face of new urban music in Kenya. Camp Mulla boasts of great skills rarely matched by any other rap group in the local music scene. Their debut album launch late last year with hit singles Party Don’t Stop announced their arrival as the group to watch this year. Their swagger and lyrical prowess can only be compared to that one of gospel hot kids BMF, the group expected to lead the revolution in the gospel music scene this year.
courtesy of standardmedia
President Kibaki Among the Highest Paid Politicians in The World
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Presidents and prime ministers are supposed to be public servants who can relate to everyday people but how many public servants do you know that are earning six figure incomes or more? Politicians often do and that’s just counting their straightforward annual salary, not all of their little perks and expenses claimed throughout the year by people in a position of power.Ok its not one of the easiest jobs in the world and you are pretty much guaranteed to become a hate figure by someone in the world, but who cares when your earning all this money!Let’s take a moment to look at the world’s ten highest paid politicians based on annual salary alone:
1. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – Singapore
- Salary in GBP: £1.76 million
- Salary in USD: $2.86 million
- Salary in local currency: S$3.87 million
2. Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen – Hong Kong
- Salary in GBP: £318,000
- Salary in USD: $516,000
- Salary in local currency: HK$4 million
3. President Mwai Kibaki – Kenya
- Salary in GBP: £276,449
- Salary in USD: $449,000
- Salary in local currency: KES 38,974,556
4. President Barack Obama – U.S.
- Salary in GBP: £246,000
- Salary in USD: $400,000
- Salary in local currency: $400,000
5. President Nicolas Sarkozy – France
- Salary in GBP: £196,000
- Salary in USD: $318,000
- Salary in local currency: €240,000
6. Chancellor Angela Merkel – Germany
- Salary in GBP: £187,000
- Salary in USD: $303,000
- Salary in local currency: €228,000
7. Prime Minister Stephen Harper – Canada
- Salary in GBP: £151,000
- Salary in USD: $246,000
- Salary in local currency: C$317,000
8. Prime Minister Naoto Kan – Japan
- Salary in GBP: £150,000
- Salary in USD: $240,000
- Salary in local currency: Y24 million
9. Prime Minister David Cameron – UK
- Salary in GBP: £142,000
- Salary in USD: $230,500
- Salary in local currency: £142,000
10. Prime Minister Julia Gillard – Australia
- Salary in GBP: £141,000
- Salary in USD: $229,000
- Salary in local currency: A$330,000
Julie Gichuru Life Story …Beauty With Intelligence
One of Kenya’s best loved anchors opens up about success, criticism, motherhood and her new agenda for Kenya’s youth. By Carol OderoShe must be used to hearing this but I thought she would be taller. Julie Gichuru is diminutive. When she walks in, her high heels disappear into the hem of her jeans, pooling under her feet and grazing the floor. She looks all of 21 and her thick hair, aided by extensions because she cut it off a few years back, falls down her back. She is so chirpy and perky it’s contagious. Do not be fooled. She has been known to bite.
Today, she is group digital manager and television host at Citizen TV and her shows have been known to claim their
pound of flesh.
When I ask how old she is, she throws back, “How old do I look?” Were it not for the heavy lifting of political and societal cultural weights she does so effortlessly, one might underestimate her. “There is nothing wrong with people looking at you and thinking you are an airhead. In fact it is a good thing. That way they are the ones who have to deal with you when you finally show your smarts.”
Her career is unrivalled and she has worked in some of the biggest media houses in Kenya. Perhaps because of her girl next door demeanour, she is also something of a Kenyan sweetheart who registers on the stylish personalities radar regularly. Her soft voice and youthful almost girlie looks make her vastly approachable.
Is there a grand plan and a business mastermind at hand, one wonders? “I am the kind of person who does not plan what I do in my career. In fact my husband would find it quite amusing that we are even having this conversation.”
True Love’s last meeting with Julie was in 2006. She was introduced to us as a grieving mother, having lost her son in the most unfortunate of circumstances. We cried with her, felt her pain, and saw her healing begin. Nearly five years later, she has more to offer. This time joyous and celebratory.
For one, she is working with UNICEF on a Baby Banda campaign, teaching women about breastfeeding. “I remember breastfeeding my two babies once in a doctor’s waiting room with women looking at me oddly before asking the doctor if that was normal! My mother kept asking me why I was still breastfeeding my son Kimoshe at four. I had to remind her that it was my baby and it was my house.”
UNICEF simply called her out of the blue. She gets a number of these calls. She gives talks about digital things, motherhood, parenting, women and careers, motivating young people and moderating on issues of national cohesion.
She is also a fellow and trustee member of the African Leadership Initiative, part of the Young Global Leaders, under the World Economic Forum, and has won a Salute to Greatness Award from the Martin Luther King Foundation in 2008. Aspen Global Leadership Network and African Global Leadership made a bid for her participation and now she flies around the world, taking part.
Her involvement came after the post election violence during which time she participated in peace initiatives. She was then nominated and asked to train as an Aspen moderator. The other was done by a committee with Queen Rania. They sent her a message and said her name was put forward as a contender. Where does she find time? “I always think there is an opportunity to learn or teach something. There have been many things that have come my way but I have to ask myself if it fits in line with who I am.” She has to find time for her main job though between digital and hosting. “I think very soon it is going to be at an inflection point because of all the things I am doing.”
As for failure, she did attempt to run a magazine, a venture which backfired. “I ended up with a lot of debt and spent three years trying to pay them off.”
From the age of 10 she wanted to be a criminal lawyer. With more than a passing interest in drama, she wrote plays, won public speaking awards and considers herself a poet. However, James Falkland who at the time was heading Phoenix Theatres, mentioned there was no future in theatre as it earns no money. She chose law.
It was evidence law that did it for her. Injustice greatly provokes Julie and the law she learnt only enhanced the inequalities by showing them up. It offended her so greatly that when she finished, she went on to study business administration. She came back to Kenya and there was the option of going to Kenya School of Law and financially depending on her parents.
Instead she went to Capital FM for a voice test. They called her back within hours asking her to start on Monday. “I realized the other day what I am doing is a combination of the things that I love. The things I do are so related to what I studied. There is an element of drama, and I just ended up being where I should be.”Julie is in the throes of Sunday Live, a television show she says would be impossible to do without the dedication and expertise of the team that work with her. “We have an editor who is solely dedicated to hunting down the rich people for the segment ‘Who Owns Kenya’ and a research department. We sit in meetings, coordinate and share ideas. Team effort is critical otherwise I would not be able to do what I do.”
Her shows get her into trouble. “I think we have a couple of court cases and threats. I get complaints from people who tell me this is not the kind of wealth we need to celebrate but there are people who have made it in Kenya through hard work, but some have not. We can give some indication of this with the information we acquire and I think it is important to tell people who is behind that bank or the owner of that institution.
Kenyans have the right to know these things. A lot of things happen in this market. There is a lot of insider trading going on and people act like they do not know it. We are just saying that you have the right to know. Some of them are very hard to follow through and there are individuals we finally had to pull out on when it got murky. We knew that would happen going in but Kenyans should not feel this is sacred information.”
Fortunately for Julie, she is at home with investigative journalism. “When I moved to Citizen I was raring to go. Wachira Waruru told me to settle down first. It took three months to conceptualise Sunday Live. Initially, it started out as an Oprah concept but a lot of people saw an element of seriousness in what I do and we did not want to lose that.
With that the concept evolved.” Here is where Julie is becoming something of a trendsetter. This then begs the question as to why she left Nation TV, now NTV, in June 2008 where she seemed to be thriving.
“Nation was like my family. Moving on was not an easy thing. I was crying everyday once I realized I was going to move and I remember on the last day standing outside waiting for my husband to come and get me, sobbing as if I had lost my best friend. I was pathetic. He found me bawling and it was nothing other than the fact that I was leaving. But I felt I was not achieving what I needed to achieve.
When you are miserable and the core of your being tells you to make a change, is it not important to at least make that change?” How, I ask, did she negotiate a package? There is a pause as she thinks. “It is a challenge. We undervalue ourselves. I generally do not like to negotiate. I think it is below me. If I don’t think that we can find a point of agreement I will just leave it. I also do not haggle well. That, I think is a weakness. When an offer is made initially it has to be somewhere within reason. That being said we had discussed this before I went in.”
Julie is an actively involved mother of four and a wife with a parallel and equally involving life in the limelight. Surely this must be a challenge. “I have so much more time for my children now but of course as a mother there are things that you wish you could do like a stay-at-home mum who is there all the time can. But you have to find balance.
In the beginning of my career, it was really hard. I would read news two weeks in a month and work during the day. I saw my kids in the morning but not at night. There are seasons when you work really hard but there has got to be a break. It can’t just be this thing that is endless because it will suck the life out of you. You have to put in some boundaries.”
The shift in priorities was dictated by her own personal loss. “After losing David Mwaura I just thought some things are not so important. Kimoshe remembers him very well but Njeri’s memories of him are very vague. I still mourn him. I wrote him a poem yesterday and miss him yet we still feel blessed. You learn how to deal with it. It is not something that brings us down. Remembering him is something that brings us joy.” There is Kimoshe (10), Njeri (8), Daniel (4) who has taken to calling himself Dr. Dan and Joseph who turns one year this month.Like every other mother, Julie barely has a minute to herself. “I do a facial at home once a week. I love relaxing in the tub. Sometimes I just send my kids away and tell them to give me half an hour to think and do my thing while they are reading or doing some other thing. The difficulty with doing that much preening is that the kids are young and if I spend time doing that then I feel I am taking it away from the kids.
I go to the salon right before Sunday Live and ask them to do everything in a flurry of 45 minutes.” Sunday also includes an editorial meeting, time with family and grooming for television. “I had started at the gym but stopped. I do yoga type stretches at home. When I eat junk I try to detox with fruits and vegetables. As for my last real facial, I had it before Joseph, about 18 months back. I have been surviving on good skin products. I do break out but thankfully it never leaves scars.”
She is a go-getter, not afraid to pitch her ideas to her bosses, as well as to debate, urge, argue and push them. “I want to do a lot of programming and executive producing so there is going to be a lot of convincing. I want to broaden horizons.”
But why all the hard work? There’s a perception that she comes from a rich family. The kind that should be featured in ‘Who Owns Kenya’ and she does not need to work a day in her life.
“Where do people get that impression from? I think you are talking about my father in law. It is important for young people not to expect their parents to provide for them. My father was in the army, and his Asian family settled in Kenya. The army was nothing to complain about, but sending me to university was something of a struggle. Not an easy thing to do on a secretary’s salary either for my mum. The heaviest investment my parents ever made was in their children.”
She did not disappoint them.
The number of television shows Julie has done is phenomenal. “My first live talk show was Capital Openline on Capital FM 2001.
I hosted Ndura Waruinge the head of Mungiki at that time, who had a warrant out for his arrest. It was an explosive show and at the end Phil Matthews burst into the studio and said, “This is your niche Julie! You were born to do this!”
In KTN there was ‘Business as Usual’, ‘The Inside Story’ which was Kenya’s first investigative documentary, and ‘The
Third Opinion’ after Kathleen Openda left.
On NTV she created and produced the popular political debate program ‘Showdown’ hosted in the first season by
Mutula Kilonzo and Mirugi Kariuki, and in the second season by Kilemi Mwiria and Billow Kerrow. She also created,
produced and hosted ‘The Fourth Estate’, ‘On the Spot’, ‘The People’s Voice’, ‘Voices of Reason’, and produced and hosted ‘You the Jury’.
Then she moved to Citizen TV where she is now on ‘Sunday Live with Julie Gichuru’, ‘Fist to Five for Change’ and ‘Eye on Katiba’.
But Julie is not resting on her laurels yet, she has ideas for shows targeting young adults. “I want to capture that idealism and enthusiasm. Life is a struggle. But somewhere we built a generation that blames everybody else and has an ‘uta do?’ attitude. This is where the idea of The Great Debate (yet another of her shows) has come from.”
“When I was in Capital, I knew it was time to leave radio because I started seeing stories as pictures in my head. Now I see Kenyan stories as movies in my head. When people talk I can see the landscape and I can see the shots and I see myself doing a lot of movies from behind the scenes.”
With her movement back and forth, did she get any training for digital? “It is about ideas. In a world facing an economic downturn, the people who are indispensable to a company are the ones who can multitask.” This is apparently her greatest strength.
“Early on in my career someone told me I should be worried because there will be many Julie Gichuru’s coming up. I said no, there will be many amazing people who do amazing things but there is only one me. You must always have faith and confidence in yourself. Remember why nobody can fill that gap. If someone is able to get into your role then it means it is time for you to move forward and ahead and it also means that person is ready for the next growth phase.”
Her approach works as well because of her simple philosophy. “I imagine a woman in Turkana with four kids like me, kids the same age as mine. How does she feed them? I think I speak for the voiceless so I do not really care which side of the political divide you fall. At the end of the day, if this woman had a chance, what would she do? So I keep it almost simple-stupid. That way even if people complain that I was soft on a personality, I know what I am doing.”
That means withstanding the pressure and eternal judgment that she knows especially follows female anchors. “You have to deal with fickle and weighty matters and find the stuff that builds you as a brand from the negative to the frighteningly adoring. I am fortunate I had a partner even before I got onto radio. We already knew each other.
I am so thankful for my husband. If, for instance, I do not notice someone waving, he will tell me, ‘Julie, wave to that person over there. Now turn to your right and wave to the others over there. He manages it (her public persona) well and is very confident in himself. If I did not have that kind of support, I don’t think I would be able to do my job the way I do. I would be pulling my hair out on a daily basis. I go home and ask him how the show was. If he says ‘not good’ I think, bummer. If he says ‘it was great,’ I think, great.
When we meet people in Nakumatt, Westgate or Kikopey, I take photos with people and I leave him with the kids. He is really patient. That is really great.” So, no stalkers then? “None. When I get a gift, it says Julie Gichuru and family. It’s clear. There is no room for any misunderstanding so I do not have to deal with that. I am such a mathee!”
A light assertion aided along by moments such as her on air announcement of her pregnancy. “People had been speculating about my pregnancy. We were doing a show on teenage pregnancy and so I locked it in saying when you have your systems in place as a woman it is a blessed thing to be able to have a child in that environment then introduced a segment on teenage pregnancies. I got a text from this guy saying that that was shameful, he could not believe that I said that on air and he was offended.
It was interesting because it was such a blessing to me.”
Her Sunday Live attire is designed to bring in younger viewers who think news is a dull, boring adult affair. Also, Julie says that, “Kenyans idolize politicians so guess what I’m going to wear sweet skirts, skinny trousers and girlie dresses. I will play with it so that you have something else to talk about that is different and so that Kenyans can stop focusing on politicians. It is a whole mind shift right in line with my ideas for the new generation. I want to work with young people.
When I thought about that, I felt a welling up, and I felt that this really was my life’s calling. I hope to make strides in that area.”
Finally, again, she suffered another recent loss. “I lost my mother in law several months back. She had Alzheimer’s. It was a very difficult few years at the end. She was the kind of person who was so busy and engaged, bringing laughter, food and would emit such energy that by the time she left, you would feel revved up. We were very similar in many ways. For me she was everything that a woman should be. Strong, entrepreneurial and loving. If only I could just be half the woman that she was. Our challenge is to finish her work. I also have a very close relationship with my parents.
At 36, she says “I can’t wait to turn 40.I think that is when you are in your element and you have grown enough to be comfortable in your own skin. I think it is going to be the best thing ever.” Her life still, in as much as it involves work, is centered around her family. “The funniest thing to do is watch tv with my kids. I love cartoons and I introduced them to Star Wars and they show me the latest animations. For me it is all about the warmth and love that is created. I keep thinking soon enough I will be alone with my hubby. I try to guard my family and it is important to me that they are protected at all times.”
Would she say she is successful? “Yes but not because of what I do. Because I am happy, satisfied and content.”
Julie’s Get Ahead Tips
- You have to struggle for about 4 to 7 years before you come to success. Then again, once you have made if, then the real work begins.
- Have a plan and a business concept that works. That is your foundation and stepping stone so it must be solid.
- Be ready to put in the time.
- Do not expect to see immediate results. If you do you are in a business that is exceptional.
- Build a lot of goodwill by having focus and determination. This is what will attract others to you.
- Be willing to share what you have be it wealth or information.
- You need people to be successful.
- Account for your investments in time, effort or money.
Courtesy of kenyanmagazines
Citizen Tv
Citizen TV Paying Janet Mbugua Ksh 800,000, Cameramen Ksh 44,000
When Janet Mbugua goes on air to read news on 800,000 shillings-a-month-pay on Citizen TV, the men and women behind the camera and autocue on a 44,000 shillings-a-month of the same currency may be tempted to super-impose a spooky montage behind her. And somehow, it is easy to sympathize with them.“This is obscene and should not be accepted, people should start boycotting Citizen TV,” a prominent media owner told the Jackal News.In addition, Citizen TV is reported to have paid nearly five million shillings to free Mbugua from her contract in South Africa.
“Well, I have no comment on that and honestly, she better comes onboard with better stories otherwise, we shall not accept that. I was about to quit, but ….” said an employee of Citizen TV.
The news manager, Faridah Karoney, may not raise an issue if that happens, after all, the new on-air talent will be earning more than what S. K. Macharia, the station’s owner, is paying her to write the scripts that Mbugua will be reading.
News that Mbugua is joining Citizen TV on 803,000 shillings a month is shinning spotlight on how media owners in Kenya are willing to go to win/retain viewers and advertisers. At Citizen, it is bound to irritate reporters and the technical staff who have been on a go-slow seeking better pay.
If confirmed, she will be Kenya’s highest paid TV newsreader, beating the queen of radio, Caroline Mutoko, whose similar pay is inclusive of straining duties as Radio Africa Ltd marketing manager.
The 27-year-old Kenyan, an average news presenter by all standards, has been brought back to the country by SK Macharia, from South Africa’s ETV channel, at an unjustifiably huge cost. Sources told Jackal News that Royal Media Services paid ETV over 4.5 million Kenya shillings to free her up from ETV contract.
Before she left for South Africa in mid 2009, she worked with KTN and NTV television stations. Mbugua, together with Citizen TV’s Lilian Muli-Kanene (on a 255,000 shillings salary) and the hysterical Esther Arunga, used to be quite popular news girls on Kenyan TV in 2008/2009. She studied in Kenya, Malaysia and South Africa. In her recent job at ETV, Ms Mbugua used to read evening news.
ETV is a free-to-air TV channel, also with syndicated broadcasts in 13 African countries including in Kenya, on the non-descript Channel 2 ofthe Nation Media Group, the company running NTV
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