Growing up in Africa’s largest slum, Kibera has not stopped some people from rising to the top be it in sports, entertainment and politics.
Abject poverty and crime are some of the hurdles the hundred of thousands of people in Kibera slums have to overcome to make it in life.
Amidst the biting hardships and struggles, Kibera has produced some of the finest rap artists, charismatic politicians, actors, and other great minds.
Some of the celebrities were raised by single parents but still managed, through hook and nook, to crawl out of the densely populated area into the national limelight.
Octopizzo
Octopizzo is a successful rap artist born in Kibera. Octopizzo was orphaned at 14 years which separated him from his kins. Among the challenges that Octopizzo had to overcome in his career was the negative perception of rap music. He has risen to become one of the most influential international artists from Kenya.
Eunice Mammito, comedian
The stand-up comedian at Churchill Show was raised by a single mother in abject poverty.
In an interview with The Guardian, Mamito once said that getting a meal in during her childhood was a lot of struggle. Now at 25, Mammito makes a living as a stand-up comedian.
Christone Odhiambo aka DJ Kriss Darlin
The disc jokey made his political debut by declaring his candidacy for Kibra parliamentary seat following the death of Ken Okoth.
Kriss’ star rose at NTV where he was a reggae DJ.
Even though NTV terminated his contract after he ventured into politics, Kriss is still a big name in the entertainment industry.
He grew up in Kibera and still lives there despite earning enough to afford a life elsewhere.
Kriss is the founder of the Dohty Family, an entertainment company.
Abel Mutua
Abel Mutua is a celebrated Kenyan actor who has directed, scripted and produced popular shows such as Tahidi High, Realows such as Tahidi High and the Real House Helps of Kawangware.
Some of Mutua’s family members still live in Kibera.
Shaffie Weru
Shaffie Weru is a household name among many radio fans in urban centres.
In July 2019, Shaffie joined Homeboyz Radio from Kiss FM.
Shaffie’s radio career spans over 15 years, making him one of the veterans in the media industry.
Larry Asego
Asego is a communication officer at the French Embassy in Kenya.
Before his current job, Asego was a radio presenter with a career spanning over 10 years. He has worked for Kiss 100 and Classic 105 radio stations.
Johnson Mwakazi
Johnson Mwakazi is the founder of Royal Voice International and chief executive officer of Fountain Media Group.
Mwakazi is a successful television journalist who has worked for top stations in Kenya.
Among his best assets are his deep silky voice and strong work ethic, tools he has used as a springboard into entrepreneurship.
Apart from voicing commercials, Mwakazi is also an event and has moderated debates at the national and global level.
Yusuf Noah aka Refigah ,Grandpa Records
One of the city’s most popular music record and talent management labels, Grandpa Records, is located in the heart of Kibra.
It is credited with releasing some of the country’s urban hits with artistes such as Sauti Sol, Wyre, DNA, Kenrazy, Mr Lenny, Pizo Dizo, Dufla Diligon, Gin Ideal, Kidis and Visita.
The music stable’s founder and chief executive Yusuf Noah aka Refigah has never shied from being a son of Kibra.
“I started out as a rapper with a group called Nubians with Attitude in the early 2000s at the time when rap culture was becoming a major phenomenon. The lessons I learnt growing up in Kibra and also in the music industry are partly what make Grandpa Records the household brand it is today,” Refigah told PD’s Spice
The late Ken Okoth
Ken Okoth was Kibera’s Member of Parliament from 2013 until his death in July 2019. Ken was raised by a single mother.
Having struggled to acquire a good education, Ken Okoth became one of the most popular lawmakers in Kenya.
He helped hundreds of Kibera kids from poor households to acquire education, through bursary from the Constituency Development Fund.
