Denzel Musumba: A multi-talented presenter

By Caroline Nyanga

It’s 2pm on a fine Wednesday when I arrive at the offices of Radio Umoja on Baricho Road, Nairobi for a scheduled interview with one of the station’s presenters. However, I’m informed that I have to wait since he is on air.

After about 20 minutes, a tall well-groomed gentleman emerges from the studio. He looks much younger than I had thought. After pleasantries, Denzel Musumba ushers me into the studio for a first hand experience of what he really does.

We spent the next hour watching and listening to Musumba as he interacts with his listeners on air. Occasionally, he tells me, the listeners have the opportunity to air and debate their views on social issues with an expert.

African roots

Musumba is a charming young man, a firm believer in his African roots and, therefore, only speaks English when it’s necessary. He would rather communicate in Kiswahili, which he does with a bewitching eloquence. Needless to say, I’m ashamed of my own Kiswahili.

Denzel Musumba: photo: Collins Kweyu/Standard

How did he get to be so fluent in the language? "I read a lot of Kiswahili books besides interacting with people who teach me the language. I even had a chance to work with Uganda’s Tororo Rock FM as a Kiswahili News reader for a year," he says.

A passion

Born to Africanus Musumba and Merciana Amoit, 28 years ago, in Among’ura Adungosi, Teso District, the last born in a family of five — four boys and one girl — attended Amung’ura Primary School before proceeding to St Paul’s Amukura High and St Joseph’s Secondary.

During his school days he was an active participant in music and drama festivals.

It was while in high school that he developed a passion for working with the media. To up his stake Musumba attended United Media Consultant and Trainers (UMCAT) in Kampala, Uganda, for two years acquiring a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication.

"At that point my heart was set on this industry," he says. At Rock FM, he also presented and hosted a sport’s show.

Road shows

He later moved to West FM in Bungoma where he had a special talkshow programme on HIV and Aids as well as presenting sports.

"I also hosted the East African music countdown and helped organise various road shows," he says.

Two years later, he joined Radio Simba as one of the breakfast presenters in the then popular Simba Macheo show alongside Linda Oriaso.

He is married to Margaret Sophie and has a son, Trevor Denzel Jr. He owns a Production studio named after his son, Trevor Records, in Nairobi’s Kawangware area. He records all music except from live bands for a minimal fee.

"I charge Sh10,000 per song and this caters for marketing and interviews at the station," he says.