'I fasted and prayed,had a small mattress and no money' Willy M Tuva

Piece by: Queen Serem
Lifestyle

Willy Tuva aka Mzazi Willy M Tuva has narrated how he started off from humble beginnings. The Mseto East Africa presenter narrated how he fasted and prayed to get his ideal job.

Tuva, who is a Kenyan media mogul has narrated how he struggled to do a radio interview and finally, Citizen took him on for a job.

He shared a throwback photo of himself with friends as he narrated his life's journey:

"THROWBACK with Moses Mogaka (Security Guard) and renown broadcaster and mentor Jacob Mogoa. Location : Plot 98, 99 & 100, Umoja Innercore. .

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Nilipomaliza kusomea media nilijiambia sitarudi Uswahilini, nitabaki Nairobi hustle kutafuta kazi ya ndoto yangu, UTANGAZAJI. I needed a place to stay and decided sitaomba mtu anipe mahali pa kukaa. .

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My dream was not to start with a bed-sitter then progress to a bigger house, I rented a 1 bedroom house in this building coz I believed that one day I will fully furnish it to suit my desire. The challenge was that I only had a small matress and no money to furnish the house. The only curtain I had was a 'Kikoi' from Lamu which i used in my bedroom. I bought a stove, two sufurias, two spoons, two cups, two plates. My humble shelter was not attractive but I had faith that one day it will be the best home in the entire plot. So I turned my sitting room into a gym for a while. Slowly by slowly I ordered a cool bed from Limuru. .

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I used to admire the furniture along outer ring road so one day I went and told them to make sofa sets of my preference. Being a cartoonist for Taifa Leo I managed to furnish my house, my mother bought me a computer which doubled as a TV and eased my work as a cartoonist. I bought a scanner and operated from my home. .

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But I had a dream to start Mseto, unite East Africa through music and nurture talent. I needed a job on radio. I had prepared a comprehensive proposal but I knocked on so many doors. I did many auditions, I presented my ideas but with no luck. I almost gave up but I fasted and prayed until after a couple of years when I got a call from Radio Citizen thanks to Vincent Ateya.

When our Director Afune called me for the interview they realised that they had found the man they were looking for. Knowing that you don't get a second chance to make a first impression I used the opportunity to prove myself. At Royal Media Services I was given the platform, support and creative freedom to turn #MamboMseto to #MsetoEastAfrica and now my biggest project @meaawards. And am not dreaming."