Yaaay! Finally Got Interviewed by DRUM Magazine (April 2016)

I have finally been featured on DRUM East Africa Magazine! I don’t even know where to start explaining to you how much being featured on DRUM means to me. Because I work with celebrities and superstars, people must think that this kind of thing is ordinary for me – well, it’s not and here’s why.

As a Publicist or PR person, you are constantly obsessing over how your clients, and brands you manage can get attention and be out there as much as possible. Last year I realized that for many years I had pushed other brands but hardly done the same for myself. However, I figured that at the end of the day it will always be a win-win situation because behind every successful brand is a PR manager or team.

Growing up in Molo, a small town close to Nakuru, my dreams were pretty simple. I just wanted to be successful. I never really envisioned myself becoming a celebrity Publicist. Seeing my friends Sauti Sol excel and be part of their success as it is today, and working with other legendary artistes like Stromae, Tubaba and Cobhams – to me – is just a bonus. Through my TV career and travel tales, meeting and interviewing artistes like D’Angelo and Anthony Hamilton, whose discography shaped my musical tastes, has been so gratifying.

When you have done all these things that you had never even dreamt of, it slowly starts to dawn on you that you have grabbed the bull of your life by it’s horns. With time, I started knowing that I had made change for myself, first, even before that of the artistes and colleagues I have worked with. I started to realize that through my specialized PR practice, I had started something that continues to pave way for serious young professionals in PR and journalism as a whole. I am honoured every time someone notices me and says, “I love the work you do with Sauti Sol” or “I really enjoy your TV show”. I always tell them, and I will say it here – there are so many challenges working under the scrutiny of the public that when someone says those kind words to me – that’s all that matters at the end of it all.

For all these thoughts, I always felt like I had a story to tell. I always feel like I have a story to tell. I am always stoked to receive a phone call with the person on the other end wanting to interview ME. That’s because I am the one always making these calls. When they say to me, “We would like to interview You” I always countercheck, “Me or Sauti Sol?”

I was always waiting for True Love or DRUM, the only two proper magazines for a modern Nairobian lady like me, to call me for an interview. I always read inspiring stories on there and felt that mine too would have been worthy. When I finally got that phone call, it was such a pleasure. The feeling I got when I saw myself in the magazine, and read the interview and ascertained that it was an accurate account of every single word I said, was priceless. When I shared with Sauti Sol, Bien said and noted, “Congrats – from Molo to here.” That’s when I recollected this whole story.

Some people want to take credit for my success or growth but today I want to make it very clear, I am responsible for myself, and God knows I work hard for me, first. You must start something for yourself. While at it be ready for the haters and people who will discourage you. Find your own passion and drive, be open to criticism, growth, challenges and disappointment – what I have learnt so far.

BONUS: Thank you Mwamburi and DRUM for the dope feature. For more, visit http://www.Instagram.com/anyikopr