Rolling with the ‘big boys’ in a big way

By SOLOMON KOKO

On Saturday (August 31) I attended the hotly-contested Sky Vodka mixology competition at the Brew Bistro where Alexander Kavita from Fairmount emerged winner and will get a chance to train at the prestigious Shaker Bar College in Jo’burg. That was a super evening as we partied hard. I can only wish Kavita well.

Come Sunday, I geared up for English Premier League. And gods were on my side as Man United went down one nil to Livepool at Anfield.

I also had a quick meal with my Congolese friend Mckenzie at Bodyzone on Ngong Road before linking up with my pal Paul Kobia aka Prezda as we made a colourful entrance at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre for the fifth edition of the Mwafaka Awards. Though not as elegant, the awards ceremony has been growing bigger each year. The awards founder Harun ‘Didiero’ is an inspiring story. From Korogocho slums, Didiero has dared to dream as his vision is now on a national platform.

During the awards, I bumped into Ahadi Trust CEO Stanley Kamau who presented the Role Model of the Year award.

“I will ensure that next year I’m on the nomination list in this category,” he joked.

The award went to Senator Gideon Mbuvi Sonko, who was absent at the moment. Pulse Editor Stevens Muendo received the award on his behalf.

The ceremony went well save for some categories where the crowd showed displeasure on the winners.  A case in point was the Most Promising Artiste of the Year, which I presented. The crowd rooted for singer Bahati.

Bahati is the latest gospel sensation with hit single Mama. I thought it’s a big song too but alas! The award went to Scepta.  An awkward silence filled the hall with a few jeers here and there. Scepta, whom I had earlier spotted in the hall, didn’t come for his award but someone picked it on his behalf. Probably for fear of the crowd’s reaction.

Just before the MC’s for the day, Lillian Muli and Tony, formerly of MOG, announced the top awards, Senator Sonko made his way into the venue amid cheers from the crowd.

He pledged to award the Best Male and Female artistes, Ringtone and Gloria Muliro, half a million shillings each and also promised to fund a countrywide project spearheaded by Gloria and Lillian Muli, of distributing sanitary towels to disadvantaged girls to a tune of Sh20 million.

Being a man of his words, Sonko invited me to his office for presentation of the cheques to the winners.

The flamboyant politician treated us to lots of fine whiskey and other beverages, never mind it was a gospel award. However, no alcoholic beverages were served to the men and women of God.

We were later joined in the celebrations by Prezda, Christine Kananash and MP Mpuri Aburi. Doesn’t Mpuri have a striking resemblance to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga?

Sonko, told me of his vision of being Kenyan President one day. His close association with businessman Paul Kobia, dates way back.

“He is like a brother to me. He was one of my financers in my political bid,” Sonko told me. Big boys roll with big boys and they are never shy to spend big cash for the good things in life. Prezda flashes a brand new Rolex watch complete with diamonds, which he tells me he bought for 45,000 dollars (about Sh4 million). 

So close are these two friends, that when it was Sonko’s time to leave – since he had a morning appointment with the President – he was willing to hand in his office keys to Prezda so that the party goes on.

Prezda however declined the offer but accorded brotherly respect to the Senator saying it was pure display of trust from a man who they once shared a single room with before the money came.

So, learn to be your brother’s keeper.

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