Inooro FM's Jeremiah Kimani alias Referee Mwenyewe, is a living testimony that in life, your background has got little to do with your zero to hero story and vice versa.
Royal privileges or wretchedness that may have one time defined your personal life journey, may not have much contribution to what becomes of you in life later. As it is often said, destiny is in your own hands, and it is a phrase that "Lefalii Mwenyewe" (as some with heavy Kikuyu accent would call him) has lived up to.
From a struggling drycleaner living from hand to mouth in a dilapidated estate in Nairobi's Eastlands two decades ago, Kimani's radio journey story of resilience through uncharted waters, has no equivalent.
Referee Mwenyewe admits to have joined radio from the blues but with sheer determination and persistence, was able to learn the strings of the trade to become the revered household name he is today. This is rare fête to achieve especially in today's media where many old dogs in the trade are filled with unfounded paranoia and toxicity towards emerging talents whom they disregard as inexperienced or simply fear will outshine them. On the other hand, some newcomers will be highheaded impatient and with an untamed ambition for fame, name and money within a short time which is understandably nauseating to the old folks.
For over 16 uninterrupted years, Kimani was the only Inooro FM presenter for the "Tuba Wa Mathako" sports bulletins and the Saturday sports analysis show dubbed "Kwanduka", which he hosts to date. " Tuba Wa Mathako" has since been taken over by another Inooro FM presenter.
Less than two years ago, Referee Mwenyewe took over the station's afternoon youth show (Kuihuria) which airs from 1400hrs to 1600hrs. Since Inooro FM's inception 17 years ago, the show has been hosted by other notable Kikuyu radio presenters including Mwangi Mbuthia alias 'Dr' Mugikunjo, and Jeff Kuria, all of whom are still with the RMS owned radio station.
It is, however, during Kimani's time of hosting the show, that it has gained unprecedented traction and relevance among Kikuyu listeners of varying demographics. This is if a recent CA survey (Audience Measurement and Industry Trends for Q1 2019-2020) is anything to go by.
The survey which shows "Kuihuria" squaring neck-to-neck with Kameme FM's rival show "Kwigangara" which airs from 1300hrs and 1600hrs, has since debunked a popular notion that the Kameme FM show is popular than Kuihuria owing to its extra hour advantage coupled by Ngoni Wa Thuita's witty comedy.
Unfortunately notions and perceptions, remain as such when numbers and figures come into play. When "Kuihuria" goes on air beginning 1400hrs the two rival shows are at per with one another. However, "Kuihuria" seems to overtake "Kwigangara" during the 1500hrs to 1600hrs slot when both shows end concurrently.
But what could have precipitated this scenario you wonder? Unfortunately, I do not know and neither does this CA report for the months of July, August and September, 2019 seek to explain.
As such, one can only make observations which you are at liberty to agree with or contest based on your tastes and preferences for either show.
During the last hour of the "Kuihuria" show, Referee Mwenyewe hosts a variety of resourceful guests and mentors whose message seemingly augur well with Kikuyu listenership especially the youth. This is as Kameme FM excercebates on its ribcracker talks that may not be of much value to select audiences.