“I was a toilet cleaner” – Bonnie Musambi opens up on his struggles before media fame

Bonnie Musambi, a former radio host for KBC, recently talked about his incredible journey and the difficulties he encountered while pursuing his career as a well-known journalist.

In a Radio47 interview, Musambi disclosed that he faced opposition from his family when he declared his intention to pursue a career in the media.

He persevered in his pursuit despite obstacles, even to the point of considering suicide when his family disapproved of his goals of studying media and getting married to the woman he loved.

Musambi’s path changed when he left his isolated Kitui County home and traveled to Embu to find comfort and decide what to do next.

“Katika harakati ya kutia bidii nisomess media wazazi wangu walikataa kainsist niwe mwalimu. Walikataa kunipeleka college. Nilikuwa kiongozi wa Parise and worship kanisani na katika kazi zangu hapa na pale nikakutana na mrembo mmoja pale kanisani nikataka nimuoe. Nikaamza kumtune lakini nilipofika nyumbani baba akakataa siwezi kumuoa,” he said.

It was during this challenging period that he found unexpected relief and opportunities. He landed odd jobs, including cleaning toilets and working as a waiter, to sustain himself.

Eventually, he became the choir director at Embu County Mixed Secondary School, showcasing his talent and determination to succeed.

“So now I gave up because walinikataza kusoma media na sasa kuoa yule mrembo. Nikaamua I will commit suicide. Nikatoroka home nikaenda Embu, coz ilikuwa mbali mtu hangeweza kupata mwili wangu,” he said.

Despite the initial setbacks, Musambi’s resilience and hard work paid off. He utilised the earnings from his various jobs to fund his education at The Mombasa Polytechnic, where he pursued his passion for media.

His journey in the media industry began at KBC in 2008, initially as an artist before securing a permanent position in the radio department.

During his tenure at KBC, Musambi’s career soared as he hosted prominent shows like the ‘Zinga’ show and collaborated with BBC on the ‘Sema Kenya’ show, where he earned a substantial income.