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At the prime of his career, one would think that media personality Willy M Tuva has always had it easy on the way to the top. However, he has revealed that it was far from it.
In a candid throwback post on his social media page earlier today, Tuva revealed that he came to Nairobi with a kikoi from Lamu and a big dream to make it in the city.
The Mseto show host disclosed that he lived in Umoja’s Innercore area, where he had rented a one bedroom house next to the famed KBC presenter Jacob Mogoa.
He added that he almost gave up after going to several auditions for radio while he doubled up as a cartoonist for Taifa Leo.
Here is Willy M Tuva’s moving story in his own words…
“Nilipomaliza kusomea media nilijiambia sitarudi Uswahilini, nitabaki Nairobi hustle kutafuta kazi ya ndoto yangu, UTANGAZAJI.
“I needed a place to stay and decided sitaomba mtu anipe mahali pa kukaa.
“My dream was not to start with a bed-sitter then progress to a bigger house, I rented a 1 bedroom house in this building coz I believed that one day I will fully furnish it to suit my desire.
“The challenge was that I only had a small mattress and no money to furnish the house. The only curtain I had was a 'Kikoi' from Lamu which I used in my bedroom. I bought a stove, two sufurias, two spoons, two cups, two plates.
“My humble shelter was not attractive but I had faith that one day it will be the best home in the entire plot. So I turned my sitting room into a gym for a while. Slowly by slowly I ordered a cool bed from Limuru.
“I used to admire the furniture along outer ring road so one day I went and told them to make sofa sets of my preference. Being a cartoonist for Taifa Leo I managed to furnish my house, my mother bought me a computer which doubled as a TV and eased my work as a cartoonist. I bought a scanner and operated from my home.
“But I had a dream to start Mseto, unite East Africa through music and nurture talent. I needed a job on radio. I had prepared a comprehensive proposal but I knocked on so many doors.
“I did many auditions, I presented my ideas but with no luck. I almost gave up but I fasted and prayed until after a couple of years when I got a call from Radio Citizen FM thanks to Vincent Ateya.
“When our Director Afune called me for the interview they realised that they had found the man they were looking for. Knowing that you don't get a second chance to make a first impression I used the opportunity to prove myself."
