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She conquered the radio airwaves with her haunting and captivating voice before crossing over to television and live-event hosting. Patricia is the creator of her very own MNet syndicated talk show, The Patricia Show.
And in 201, she made it as one of Forbes Africa top 40 most powerful media personalities, and now she is crossing over onto the world podium as a moderator.
The media mogul got her first big break into the media world in 2000 when she landed a job at 98.4 Capital FM.
“I went in to record my voice as a potential voice-over artist in 2000 at the suggestion of my brother Bill, who was working there at the time. The programme controller, John Wilkins, felt I had potential and asked whether I wanted to train as a presenter. Like most things that occur in my life, it was like a baptism by fire. I was on-air a month after training and my nerves were a wreck,” says Patricia.
MINI PILOT
After a successful stint at Capital FM, Patricia crossed to television.
“My first idea for the Patricia Show was a rather random thought, along the lines of ‘wouldn’t it be great to create a platform where people could talk and share both ideas and stories that would positively impact society. I had lived in London for many years, with friends from all corners of the world and I loved the exposure, open exchange and personal growth that it afforded me. I just wanted to replicate a microcosm of that here. My partner (now hubby) and I were out of a job, so we decided to give it a try. We shot a pilot with the help of friends. Even then, it still took another year and a half, the birth of our daughter plus another mini-pilot before the show actually came into being,” explains Patricia.
The show is broadcast to 120 countries worldwide, including pan Africa, UK/US (The Africa Channel) and Far East.
PROLIFIC PERSONALITIES
Away from being a host on television and at events, Patricia has, over the years, made a name for herself as a moderator both in and outside Kenya. As a result, she has shared the stage with everyone from Malawian president Joyce Banda, to Nelson Mandela’s widow Graca Machel, among other prolific personalities.
She has also been lending her voice to causes she is passionate about. “I have had the privilege of collaborating with the Nike Foundation who are behind the Girl Effect movement, which aims to leverage the unique potential of the girl-child worldwide. This culminated with the Girl Declaration that was presented at the United Nations in October last year. I am very passionate about climate change and its effect on food production and on the livelihoods in Africa,” she continues
HER GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT?
“Just having the opportunity to do what I have done so far on television and being recognized for it means a lot. The Forbes Africa recognition in 2011 where I was the only female media personality on the list, fills me with pride and gratitude. Receiving the Women: Inspiration and Enterprise Media Award 2013 at the inaugural WIE Summit in Cape Town, is also a highlight that spurs me on”.
BACKGROUND
Patricia was born in Nairobi and is the fifth born in a family of eight (six girls and two boys). She grew up in Kenya, Switzerland and the UK.
“When you are the ‘middle-child’ you are in the shadow of the older siblings and yet you cannot be molly-coddled either. You can ‘disappear’, when the older ones are in trouble for some misdemeanour. If you are smart, you learn from that, which I did. Another benefit is being able to quietly carve your own path, explore your own likes and dislikes out of the glare of others,” she says.
ON MOTHERHOOD
“My daughter Kaya, is an Aries who puts a fire up my Capricorn earth sign. She gets me cracking and keeps me on my toes. She is expressive in a way that I have had to learn over time. She is girly, again in a way that I never was. I used to equate girly with being prissy but that has changed somewhat given the circumstances,” says Patricia.
“I am pretty hands on when it comes to parenting. The sense of responsibility and deep love it awakens and gives me is not something that can be compared to any other relationship.”
On finding balance: “I did not spend a night away from home until Kaya was five years old, not because she asked, but because I just could not bring myself to it, I suppose. I am much better about it now but I do not necessarily think about maintaining a balance as such. I ensure that when I am home with her, I am not only physically but also mentally present with her so that we can engage from that base. Besides, I generally work from home so that helps a lot.”
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