KQ Pilot quits flying for showbiz

By Stevens Muendo

A first officer Kenya Airways pilot has quit his lucrative flying job for showbiz. The Blackstar Entertainment co-founder, Machel Waikenda, 28, had been flying Boeing 737 before he resigned to pursue the passion of his life, showbiz.

"Piloting has been fun. I have been brushing shoulders with the high and mighty and the pay was enviable. But life is not all about money or fame," he told MondayBlues in an exclusive interview.

"I have flown to every country in Africa and many destinations in Europe for the four years I worked for KQ. But since we started Blackstar Entertainment, I realised that my passion was in the entertainment industry and now, I have taken the plunge. I want to give Blackstar Entertainment my undivided attention," he said.

The move was a shock to the KQ top management and the pilot’s family.

"They (former bosses) kept calling, insisting I review my decision. They said I was young and had a bright future in the aviation industry. But I had made up my mind. The next time I want to fly my own jet," he added.

Blackstar Entertainment was formed by former Code Red partners Marcus and DJ Smalls who together with Machel are the directors of the new outfit.

"It is time we prove that young people can create income generating projects and turn them into multimillion dollar enterprises. Homeboyz have done it and we are following close," Machel said.

Blackstar Entertainment is a multimedia solutions provider with a diverse portfolio of local and international clients. They run a number of TV music programmes among them Wakilisha and Rush Live. They also own Blackstar Comics, Blackstar Films and provide digital animation services.