Celebrated coast-based singer K.O Kenya, real name Elijah Gogo, has shared insights into how an encounter with Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho changed his life.
In an interview with Manucho the Young Baller on Base47, K.O shared that the then-governor of Mombasa identified his talent while he was in Form Two and offered to fund his education and musical career.
“Pale shule nilikuwa tayari na mafans. Watu walikuwa wanajua naimba iwe kwa church au assembly. Nilikuwa na umati fulani. Wanafunzi waliposikia kwamba ni K.O anaimba, walijazana hall kuskia ni ngoma gani. Nikaipiga [Kasuku] na kwa bahati nzuri, Mungu akaipa nehema na kibali ikaweza kuonekana. Hivyo ndivyo Joho akanitafuta na kunisaidia kwa masomo, kimziki na kimaisha,” said K.O.
K.O said when Joho sought to understand his needs, he indicated that he required support for school fees, having endured financial hardships for several years.
“Kabla Joho aje, nilikuwa nafukuzwa sana fees za shule. Hivyo nikaona ni nafasi niweze kumalizana na hilo janga. Pili, niliona elimu ni mustakabali wangu wa kimaisha. Kwamba nikiwa na elimu na kazi nitaweza kujisimamia ata kwa mambo ya mziki. Nikaona hilo kwanza kwa vile elimu inaweza support vitu vingi. Sio tu kazi, bali pia connections zinazidi kupanuka kupitia elimu,” he said.
K.O said Joho also shared important insights with him, which later proved beneficial, including when critics accused him of falling-off after being taken under the wings of the First Governor of Mombasa County.
The ‘Kasuku’ hitmaker clarified that his hiatus occurred after his management team at Above The Rim Productions disintegrated.
He indicated that it proved difficult to maintain the momentum he gained in high school following his manager’s relocation to Seychelles.
“Kipindi kile nikitoka shule, meneja wangu Taka alikuwa Sychelles. Hivyo nikawa tayari Above the Rim na watu hawapo. Kina Real HD ambao walikuwa pale wakawa kwa kipindi kifupi baada ya mimi kumaliza shule, kwa kutoelewana pamoja na matatizo ya uongozi, wakatoka tena. Ikawa nimebaki na Gates,” explained K.O.
Additionally, K.O noted that Joho’s exit from the governorship after his decade-long term further complicated his productivity.
“Tena ikatokea mambo ya accounts, zikawa zingine ni kubwa. Ikawa mimi kusimama ni ngumu kidogo. Hivyo, nikafikiria kwamba heri niende shule kuliko nikae hapa na huu mziki ambao tayari ulikuwa unayumba. Ndivyo hivyo, team ilivunjika na ikawa boss [Joho] alikuwa anatoka mamlakani kipindi kile,” he added.
According to K.O, the situation culminated in a low point for him when he publicly broke down on social media while sharing his struggles.
“Siku ya kwanza kuonana na mheshimiwa [Joho], aliniambia ‘you must be very keen and wise to handle fame’. So, kuna vitu fulani tayari nilikuwa equiped kudeal na fame. Mimi ni mpambanaji. Lakini ukumbuke kwa sababu ya jina kubwa, kuna vitu siwezi fanya na niko pale naona kabisa mama hana hela. Personally, naweza pambana kidume kuvisort lakini siwezi, na mziki wenyewe ni wa kungoja. Hiyo ndiyo ikawa ni changamoto,” he noted.
Despite the hardship, K.O expressed gratitude to Above The Rim Productions, saying it was vital to his growth and success.
“Nawashukuru sana pale wakiongozwa na Gates kwa zile efforts Above the Rim walichukua kunitengeza kama KO. Under their association, nimefanya collabo na akina Femi One na pia nimekalishwa na watu wakubwa. Mimi ndiye mtu wa pekee niliyekuwa followed by Joho on social media. Kuna vitu vingi ambavyo wamefanya; kutumia akili, nguvu na connection kuhakikisha kwamba jina langu limekua,” said K.O.
He added: “Mitihani ipo na ilikuwepo. Wao pia ni wanadamu, they are not perfect. Lakini sitokosa kutaja mchango wao kwenye career yangu kwa vile wao ndio walinileta kwenye picha hivi kwamba watu wakanifahamu kama msanii kwa hivo nawashakuru sana.”
The challenging phase, according to the fast-rising singer, has since passed and he is now focused on new music and projects.
“Nashukuru kwa sababu maisha yanavyosonga ndivyo mambo yanavyobadilika kwa vile saa hizi mambo yako vizuri ndio maana unaona nimerudi kwenye mainstream,” he said.
