FRED OBACH MACHOKA; THE RHUMBA CONNOISSEUR

 FRED OBACH MACHOKA; THE RHUMBA CONNOISSEUR

This black history month segment goes out to the blackest man in black Africa, the most incomparable commercial broadcaster, the African music connoisseur, the veteran journalist and media personality, the soldier with the baritone voice, the total man himself, Uncle Fred Obachi Machoka. This famous radio host has for years been busy captivating the whole nation entertained with his enchanting Rogaroga show, spinning some of the most spell-binding rhumba hits, which leave his numerous fans completely hooked to his magic show, and craving some more of it. Moreover, his ability to infuse life into African music, is very inspirational, such that many become addicted to listening to it more and more.

Uncle Fred has been in our ears since the eighties, with two of his most recognized skills namely, commercial broadcasting and show-hosting, which have made him a household name. Additionally, his booming voice is made for sales and marketing, of which Fred is a walking billboard of advertisements, known to influence the sale of various products, using his starry voice, his sunny disposition, together with his larger than life personality. As a result, product companies rush in, to ride on Fred’s energetic bandwagon, with their brands in tow, fully convinced that this voice master is skilled enough to deliver success to them.

Who remembers Sanyo products? This Fred guy made most of us buy Sanyo televisions and radios on hire purchase, during the eighties. How about the Sportsman Ni Sawa Hasa! advertisement? That was a pre-recorded cigarette advertisement, with Fred’s informative voice all over it. What of the Eveready Paka Power Premium batteries? Yes, when it comes to product sales and promotions, no one does it better than the cool uncle Fred. The woke generation may not be privy to the aforementioned products, as they may be obsolete, therefore not available on the online market, where they mostly frequent. However, back in the analogue days, uncle Fred was a one-stop shop of a myriad of brand sales, a phenomenon that continues up to date.

Truly, it seems that there is never a dull moment in Fred’s world, as the guy steps into the studio with music on his mind and fire in his soul. Aside from marketing, uncle Fred is big on popular music shows, such as the ancient Music Time, which aired on the Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation Television, way back when the internet was purely a thought in its inventor’s head. Then along came Sheki Legi music show that aired for a short while, on the Citizen Radio, before uncle Fred developed the most popular music show, by the name Rogaroga, that airs both on Citizen radio and television, which has a huge audience and viewing countrywide.

The Rogaroga show showcases some of the very talented African artists across the continent of Africa but particularly gives special play of Rhumba music, whose origin is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uncle Fred is so familiar with this genre of music, such that it is believed that he could have been a Congolese in his past life, just by his knowledge, experience and affiliation of the Rhumba Congo music. Moreover, he pours this knowledge onto his listeners throughout the nation, thereby creating a fun base of both young and old Rhumba lovers.

Besides Rhumba, uncle Fred is big on granting Zilizopendwa class of African music considerate airplay, because it is a set of golden music that is nostalgic and has stood the test of time, with the ability to take one way back into time, in order to reminisce of what was, as well as how it was in those old memorable days. Aside from Rhumba and Zilizopendwa, Fred showcases an array of Zouk and Afro-beat music within his show, which makes him live up to his notable title of the blackest man in black Africa.

Fred Obachi Machoka is many things to many people, yet one thing we all can concur on is his colourful persona, together with his knack for keeping the public entertained with a slew of classic hits that have stood the test of time. From being a General Service Unit soldier, to a commercial broadcaster, and on to being a celebrated radio host, Fred has done it all, with a smile on his face, and at his prime age, he still has a few decades charm us with great music that which will keep us dancing until the chicken come home to roost.

Here is to you Fred Obachi Machoka; wild passion is for boys, great passion is for men but victory passion is for generals like you. May you continue to soar high beyond your wildest dreams.