Humble beginnings: 10 celebrities who did weird jobs to get to the top

 BY CAROLINE NYANGA

Akothee

She is one person who has crawled through hell shit pipes but managed to come out smelling like a rose flower.

Married at 14, and returning to school to pursue her studies a decade later only to be kicked out of her first marriage including taking care of three kids at a tender age in her humble home in Migori County was hectic. In order to survive she did menial jobs like working as a matatu tout and a taxi driver. Today however, Akothee is among the A list local musicians with local and international properties worth Billion of shillings. 

She becomes the first Kenyan to do collabos with musical big wigs in a row among them Diamond and Flavor of Nigeria just to name a few.

Wakimbizi – Milk vendor and waiter

Wakimbizi’s Filter and Mariko 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.

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

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.

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

Nyota has since gone ahead to released five albums  besides performing in various parts of the country including Zanzibar and recently in Germany during Bob Marley’s Birthday Party.

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,” says the multiple award winner.

Jaguar – matatu tout

Local 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." Today his award winning Kigeugeu hits has catapulted him into fame. Besides he is also  one of the few musicians who own numerous properties.  He is currently the NACADA director.

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, where he earned Sh200. But as fate had it, he met a young born again man who hawked Maasai regalia at the beach and upon narrating his story to him, he convinced him to give my life to Christ besides taking him back to school."

A year after completing high school education, Ringtone followed his dream of recording gospel music. Today he has a force to reckon with in the gospel world. He also does stages locally and abroad. Indeed, ana mabawa!

This aside he is among the top wealthiest local musicians today owing a number of properties within Nairobi’s leafy surburb estates just to name a few.

DJ Pinye – toilet cleaner

From cleaning London toilets to becoming part of Kenya’s DJ elites. Pinye, 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 decks man; 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 with an award in his name. He also plans to go back to school and study production.

Maina Kageni was a delivery boy for a Chinese company. Today he is a household name who owns numerous properties locally and abroad. If you do know this guy then you must be a stranger in Jerusalem.

Capital FMs Nini Wachera sold maandazis within Nairobi to make ends meet.

Former TPF contestant cum singer Ngangalito worked as a small time gardener within Nakuru town besides doing menial jobs in order to survive. But the moment he joined TPF to try out his talent he emerged among the tops. Today he is an accomplished singer with several contracts coming his way.