Getting candid with Caroline Mutoko

By Stevens Muendo

All the men Caroline Mutoko has dated before have been great dreamers with open minds.

After all, she has no time for people of mediocre mentality; none for a man who cannot define himself. And if you are still thinking of just being an average performer, you may never pass as her pal.

It has been quite some time since she said bye to her last boyfriend, a South African.

In the recent past, there has been a lot of hullabaloo on whom the outspoken queen of radio has been dating, with rumours abounding that she could soon join the bandwagon of celebrities walking down the aisle. Rumours about which she does not give a hoot.

"I haven’t been dating any man in a while now," she says, as she drives out of her Kiss FM offices, where I have been waiting for this interview.

"I have many things in the line up now and well, when he comes, he will find me," she jokes, insinuating that she is not ready for a man hunt. Her visual expression, a serious face with her eyes commanding my full attention seemed to drive the point home even stronger. Her no-nonsense radio persona comes alive.

An accident

In that early morning hour, Caroline — the Kiss FM Programmes Controller — had just concluded a presentation with some client. She had forewarned me that we only have 20 minutes before she headed for her next meeting. This has become her typical lifestyle for close to… God-knows-how-many years but on this particular day, she is a bit relieved knowing that it’s two days to her leave. For 10 days she will be off air. Away from the 4 am wake up call time. Away from the hundreds of calls from listeners. And away from the popular morning Breakfast Show that has characterised her life for over 10 years now.

"For me, joining the media was an accident. I was supposed to be a banker. When I got my radio job, I was on an academic break, waiting to join the Manchester Business School. This was the great twist of my life," she says.

"With the job, I discovered that I could pay my bills, do my manicure and pedicure. And I loved it," she adds.

It has been 12 years and counting and Caroline now in her 30s can claim to have seen it all.

"So much has changed in the radio world. Back in the day, all we had was KBC. Now people are spoilt for choice as we have over 90 radio stations operating countrywide. There has been an evolution. The media has now become bolder, louder and more focussed," she says.

But even with this evolution, one thing has remained constant — a Caroline so vocal on air, discussing even the most controversial issues, nailing the high and the mighty of the land with her nerve gripping vocal attacks. Woe to you, would she find you in the wrong books.

Renewed endeavour

"I give my work hundred percent. Caroline is all about work...work…work. I don’t believe in being lukewarm or average. I know who I am. That is what has kept me fresh over the years," she remarks.

And adds: "It all goes down to choosing the life one wants. It’s too bad that most ladies are scared of exploring and exploiting their potential. They are scared that if they stay vocal and achieve a lot, men will call them bitches. They sit there, waiting for a man to spotlight their life. That’s not me. I am a go-getter.

Who wants to marry a dimwit? In this life, you need someone who will come to add a plus to who you are. Jay Z would have married anyone, but he went for BeyoncÈ. Look at Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I can tell you, if Brad Pitt called it a day, Jolie would still move on. That’s what I’m talking about."

Unstoppable in her quest, Caroline says that she is facing her 30s with ‘energy’ and a renewed endeavour to ignite her charm to the next crop of radio presenters.

"I don’t plan to go on TV or politics as many people have always speculated. I’m coming off air to make new radio stars. I want to create the next Maina Kageni, Shaffie Weru, Kalekye Mumo…That will be my ultimate joy in giving back what I have achieved over the last decade."

Authoring a book

So passionate is she about this dream that she is now authoring a book with detailed accounts of her encounters and experiences in the radio industry that has seen her redefine the FM media.

Exclusively, Caroline reveals to Pulse that her upcoming book will also reflect on the ‘Do’s’ and "Don’ts’ for media personalities besides giving a candid talk to ‘the girls’.

"I used to be 89 kilograms and man, I could feel the weight falling on my knees every time I took the stairs. I have now cut 20 of this. I feel lighter and happier. And I have to tell the girls that they don’t have to starve themselves to keep in shape," she concludes.