From Shame To Fame: Florence Kanana Of Ghetto Radio

It is stories like this of Florence Kanana, the radio presenter at Ghetto Radio 89.5 FM, that spark the Go-Get-It spirit within me; very inspirational! Many of the people, who listen to her over radio and have become her fun because of the talent she exhibits, may not know where she came from before the limelight shone on her. Here is the inspirational story a lady who rose from shame to fame:

Florence Kanana was doing what many of us consider as a job for the “less privileged” in society. She has been a house girl in Nairobi for years. This is not something she chose for herself. She was once a brilliant form one student who wanted to complete her secondary level education then join college to pursue a course in mass communication. She always knew that the media is where she belonged. Unfortunately, her dream died off at form 1, when she couldn’t raise fees to continue her education.

Frustrated and with a lot of economic problems around her, the future was bleak. However, with a strong heart, she decided to do what it would take to make hers a bright future. The only available path at the time, for her, was to go to Nairobi and look for a job. That is how Florence Kanana, a girl of Meru origin, landed in the capital of Kenya.

Little known to her that it was destiny calling her, she looked around for a job and got one as a house girl in Mathare North, Area 4, Nairobi. She worked here for a while then moved on to Kahawa West. During this time, Kanana was an ardent listener of Ghetto Radio. Her job was around the house so she got a lot of time to listen to radio. She called the Ghetto Radio everyday to make a request for a song.

Kanana’s journey to fame and success

Kanana’s usual calls to Ghetto Radio were missing for a while and Maji, who works at the station, couldn’t fail but notice that. She had a unique way of interacting with the radio presenters whenever she called. This, apparently, is what made Julius and other staff at Ghetto Radio believe that she had a hidden talent that could do wonders if tapped and directed the right way. So having gone under, Maji had to look for her. Luckily, they had save the girl’s number on their systems. They gave her a call.

At first, according to Florence Kanana, she thought that the whole thing was a prank. Who wouldn’t? A house-help being offered a job at a radio station!!! She couldn’t take what Maji told her seriously.

So Maji had to take the next step; he went to look for Kanana in person and even offered her the Sh3,000 that she was earning at her current job. So confident was Julius that the girl would make it big in radio that he pursued Kanana for over 2 months. Finally, she gave in and that was the beginning of the rest of her life; the first day of a star shinning bright. Who can tell what the future holds for this lady? I can bet that not even Florence Kanana herself can. Wish you all the best, Florence. You are such an inspiration.