CAROLINE NYANGA

A story is told of a young man who camped outside a radio station for days on end in a bid to get his CD played. Despite the tight security and frustrations he never gave up his mission and after a period of one week, his CD was finally accepted. The moment it was played on radio- it became an instant hit catapulting him to stardom. From then on there was no looking back. The scenario is no different within our celebrity circles- some of whom are known to have arisen from humble beginnings. Although some of these stories may sound dramatic — they are real — as told from the horses’ mouth.

Nyota Ndogo – househelp

She started as house help in Nyali estate Mombasa, where she worked for period two years. During the time she earned a meagre salary of Sh1,500 a month. "I had completed Standard Eight and could not continue with my education due to my humble family background," says Nyota who was initially inspired by K-South flavas music.

Although her dream of becoming a doctor was shattered, she felt she would keep herself occupied with a menial job instead of indulging in prostitution: "I yearned for the day my life would change for better."

Nyota recorded her first album Chereko while still working as a maid.

"My employer helped out with the project on top of the little I saved," she says.

Although the album was accorded immense airplay on radio stations within Mombasa she did not anticipate change very soon.

At that point, she took two-days off from her usual house chores and performed in a private function in Nairobi West where she had been invited.

But it was her song Nataka Toa done in collabo with Necessary Noize that saw her emerge in to the limelight.

It was a dream come true for me. The fact that I watched others artistes on television and hoped for the day I would be like them made me realise that with faith and determination everything is possible," she says.

Nyota went ahead and released her second and third albums that saw her perform in various parts of the country including Zanzibar.

To date the musician has four albums under her cap, with the latest being Mambo Kombo.

With eight awards under her cap she hopes she will be able to achieve more with given time.

"It’s your effort, will and determination that makes you who you are in the end."

So, would she turn back the hands of time? Well, according to Nyota every job has its advantages and disadvantages. "I believe I was more peaceful working as a maid even though the money was little. Being in the limelight maybe lucrative but can also be quite stressful."

Tatuu Trio – stage actresses/dancers

Debbie, Rabo and Shinde first met at Phoenix Players where they became fast friends. They played small roles when given the chance.

At some point Debbie and Rabbo frequented Club Psyz in Langata where they would from time to time get paid entertian patrons by dancing.

The two later became part of Nameless’ dance troupe called Rada. The fact that they were from different universities did not prevent them from working together.

"We were encouraged by people into pursuing music. Ours was to explore our acting and dancing skills to the fullest," says Debbie.

But when Rabo approached Ogopa with her new composition Teso, and Ogopa took them in — the end result was superb. The song became an instant hit in East Africa turning them into first female pop trio in Kenya to make it big regionally.

"Although we knew the song had what it takes amazingly its reception was larger than we had anticipated," says Shinde, adding that this encouraged them to venture further into music.

Many other releases followed before they took a long break and re-emerged recently with a hit single Solophobia. They are currently working on their album.

Wakimbizi – Milk vendor and waiter

Wakimbizi who are also brothers are no exception. Mariko was a milk vendor for Brookside Company, while Filter worked as a waiter in Dana Pani Restaurant, Parklands.

Although they recorded music it was underground. "We didn’t mind the jobs because we learnt a lot of things from them," say the duo adding that nevertheless they yearned for the day when they would be able to accomplish their dreams of making it big in music.

"Music was a big part of us ever since we were in school. But then after six years of hard labour and being underground came their big break. The duo including Andre, then a third member of the group released chartbusters Mariko and John among others that led them into instant fame. They were the first group to come up with an animated video. "At that moment we realised we were headed in the right direction and that soon our dream of making it in music would be accomplished," says Mariko.

To date the duo have four albums- the latest being Usife Moyo featuring a number of mainstream artistes. Among their latest hit songs include Makanga and Jogoo remix.

Churchill – Casual labourer

As one of the top comedians in the country and host of Churchill Live, Churchill has come a long way from his industrial area paycheck.

A leading radio presenter cum stand up comedian missed out on a career in football and took up studying the Bible at the World of Life College in Kabete.

At the time he lived in room of Sh500 in which he shared with five other people. Every morning he would head for Nairobi’s Industrial area to clean bottles and lift timber for Sh115 a day.

Then one day, he attended an audition for play after a lady he refers to as Christine asked him to — he qualified and earned Sh300 per show. With time he had a stint at Citizen Radio where he featured as the perennially complaining Navdi Solanki and became an instant hit and onto Classic where he palyed Mwalimu King’ang’i.

He was also part of the Public Noise Makers featuring Mshamba. With this he found himself in NTV’s In tru kalas. Today he is a producer with Heartstrings Kenya and author with the play This is Kenya.

Ringtone – A street urchin

Gospel singer Ringtone was a prodigal son for the better part of his life having been forced into the streets of Eldoret and Kericho due unavoidable circumstances.

At some point, he also shined shoes, sold mitumba clothes washed cars, sold scrap metal and hawked groundnuts at the Shauri Moyo estate.

"During my days in the streets, I often dreamt of owning good things at some point in life. For instance, whenever I saw a beautiful house or a nice car pass I knew I would own one some day."

After many years of hardship Ringtone, who was brought up by his grandmother, finally made a breakthrough but was gradual. His plan was to hook up with elderly white women who he thought change his life for better.

He hustled his way into getting to Mombasa.

"The fact that I had Sh200 which was not enough for my transport forced me to travel by train. But within the drivers apartment who took pity on me and asked for half of the amount." But as fate had it, the moment he got there he met a young born again man who hawked Maasai regalia at the beach. " When I narrated my story to him, he convinced him to give my life to Christ. He even took me back to school."

A year after completing high school education, Ringtone followed his dream of recording gospel music. He now has two albums and is a force to reckon with in the gospel world. He also does stages locally and abroad.

DJ Pinye – toilet cleaner

From cleaning London toilets to becoming part of Kenya’s DJ elites. Pinye 38, quit his graphic design course in Nairobi and flew to London in 1991 to live with a friend. He worked at McDonalds, Home Stores and other establishments in London as a cleaner.

He bought his brand new mixer and turntable that cost £1000 (Sh125,000) earned from his blue-collar job.

When he came back, he began with house-parties before moving into radio and TV. From then, on there is no stopping him. Today, a master decksman, Pinye was the brains behind the five-time award winning television music show The Beat.

Tahidi High’s Omosh – garbage truck driver

For Joseph Kinuthia aka Omosh, hustling was a way to put food on the table. "I used to load garbage on trucks despite my CPA1(Certified Public Accountant )." Although he once landed a book keeping job at a city accounting firm, it ended when a former Government official bought the company and had his own ideas how to keep in and out.

At the time odd jobs seemed like the only way he could cater for his pregnant wife. With time he was promoted to a driver. But this was not enough. In the evening he fashioned out flat iron sheets from tar drums that he sold to make that badly needed extra shilling. Each earned him Sh10.

But he got smart at it and did 100 at once. But one day having had enough, he recalls boarding a matatu and making his way to the Kenya National Theatre where he harnessed his acting talent. Sleeping under the sun became part of his routine when he joined Tahidi High. Although he tried his hand on radio, he cut a niche for himself as Omosh, the know it all, street – smart sweeper at Tahidi High

Today, Omosh is a household name and plans to go back to school and study production.

Jaguar – matatu tout

Ragga musician Jaguar worked as a matatu tout for routes 58 -Buruburu, and 15-Langata for close to three years. The little money he made enabled him pay school fees.

With time, he developed interest in music. "I was in charge of choosing the best matatu deck, and listening to the music inspired me."

Others: Presenter Solo who worked as a matatu driver and a boxer. Mongolo as a waiter while Maina Kageni was a delivery boy for a Chinese company.

Capital FMs Nini Wachera sold maandazis within Nairobi to make ends meet while the late King Kong was a street urchin. Young pulsers can learn a thing or two from these celebs and realize it’s not where you’re from that matters, but where you are going.