Beryl Owano: The first time I came to Nairobi all my belongings disappeared in a split second.

Beryl Owano is a fast rising Afro-pop, recording and performing artiste. Not only has she had to start her career scrubbing studio floors to be able to afford a studio session, the 2017 Kisumu Teeniez Choice Awards winner from Luanda in Vihiga County had a first shocker on the very same day she set foot in Nairobi.

“I was gassed for a singing competition that happened in our school back in the village. I had won the first round and was expected to proceed to Nairobi for the next round. I booked an overnight bus, only armed with my brother’s fiancée’s contacts written on a piece of paper. I didn’t have a phone so I was making my way blindly.”