Western Kenya is home to a plethora of talented individuals who have made a name for themselves in various fields, including music, film and sports.
These celebrities have not only brought pride to the region but have also become some of the highest-paid individuals in the country.
In this article, WoK looks at some of the top-paid celebrities from Western Kenya, their rise to fame, and the factors that have contributed to their success.
1. Mulamwah
Mulamwah, a nurse by training, is a comedian, brand influencer and radio presenter at Mediamax-owned radio station, Milele FM.
He is also into business as he owns a number of Boda Bodas working from Kitale, Trans Nzoia County.
According to a contract that he shared in 2020, the comedian charges Ksh 130,000 for an endorsement with the agency deducting 8% of the fee.
Mulamwah has worked with Mozzart Bet, InDriver, Itel, Star Bet and East African Breweries Limited (EABL) among others.
2. Azziad Nasenya
Azziad Nasenya is a content creator, actress, beand influencer and radio presenter working at Sound City Kenya.
She makes money from her radio ipb and advertising for clients on her social media platforms.
In July 2020, Azziad released her rate card that showed that she charges Ksh 100,000 for a TikTok video and Ksh 50,000 for a live.
On Instagram, she charges Ksh 100,000 for a post, Ksh 50,000 for an InstaStory and Ksh 50,000 for a live.
Azziad charges Ksh 50,000 for a Tweet, and Ksh 100,000 for a YouTube video, Ksh 50,000 for a placement and Ksh 30,000 for a mention.
In August 2021, Hopper HQ, an Instagram planning and marketing tool, ranked her the highest paid influencer in Kenya.
She has worked with among other brands Tecno, Bic, Garnier, Nice & Lovely, Naivas, Oraimo, Denri and Jumia.
3. Vera Sidika
Vera Sidika is a socialite-turned-entrepreneur.
She runs Vera Sidika Beauty Parlour offering among other services facial, massage, pedicure and manicure, body scrub, salon services, beauty and make up.
The mother of two also owns Veetox Herbal Detox which helps reduce bloating, cleanse digestive system, improve metabolism and burns belly fat.
She also markets clients’ products on her Instagram account, with over 2.4 million followers, at a fee.
Vera shot to national fame in 2012 when hip hop group P Unit featured her as the main video vixen in their hit music video ‘You Guy’.
4. Dr Ofweneke
Dr Ofweneke alias Sande Bush is a TV host, events MC, branding consultant and corporate trainer.
The comedian traces his roots from the Western Luhya community and it is fair to say he represents the community quite well.
In November 2020, Dr Ofweneke came clean on the perception that he was Nigerian due to his perfect imitation of the Nigerian accent.
He admitted that he was Kenyan, adding that he was tired of the accent.
“I think am tired of the Nigerian accent, you know I have never been to Nigeria, and maybe unfortunately I have never wished to go to Nigeria
“Clint the Drunk as told me so many times, why can’t you come and do your show here, but I don’t feel am ready, then am at a point where I feel like I should hang my boots as well,” he clarified.
5. Jacky Vike
Jacky Vike, otherwise known as Awinja Nyamwalo is an entrepreneur, actress, content creator and brand influencer.
The role she played as a househelp in the hugely popular Papa Shirandula TV sitcom propelled her to stardom.
Apart from sitcom, she has featured in some plays and also had a role in the award winning movie Nairobi Half Life where she acted as a s£x worker.
As a brand influencer, Awinja has worked with among other brands Ariel, DStv, Equity Bank and Naivas among others.
She makes most of her money from content creation and working with brands.
6. Yvonne Okwara
Yvonne Okwara is an award winning journalist currently working at Royal Media Services-owned TV station, Citizen TV.
She also serves as an editor in charge of Research and Planning at Citizen TV, a media consultant for Kenya’s National Defence College and sits on the ENACTUS Business Advisory Council.
Career-wise, she has moderated several local and international panels comprising Melinda Gates, Former US Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Chairman Monetary Authority of Singapore and Former IMF Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu.
Yvonne also moderated the Presidential Debates in Kenya in 2017 and 2022.
She is among journalists working at Royal Media Services who earn an excess of Ksh 500,000 per month in salary and allowances.
7. Victor Wanyama
Victor Wanyama is a Kenyan footballer who plays as a defending midfielder for CF Montreal and Harambee Stars.
He kicked off his career at Nairobi City Stars where he spent a few months before he was signed by AFC Leopards.
Wanyama spent a year at AFC Leopards before progressing to Helsingborg then Beerschor and later Celtic.
In 2013, he signed with Southampton where he stayed until 2016 when he moved to Tottenham Hotspur where he spent three years.
He joined CF Montreal in 2020.
In October 2022, information made available via MLS official site showed that Wanyama earned Ksh 24 million a month, totaling Ksh 374 million annually plus an annual guaranteed compensation.
8. Bien Baraza
Bien Aime Baraza is a guitarist, singer and the lead singer of Kenyan boyband, Sauti Sol.
Born December 28, 1987, he attended Upper Hill High School, where he met his band members, Willis Chimano and Savara Mudigi.
He later joined the United States International University for Journalism and Media Studies, and graduated in 2011.
In November 2021, he signed a three-year contract deal worth Ksh 50 million as a solo artist with the Sol Generation record label, a label established by Sauti Sol.
The cheque was presented to him by Sol Generation manager William Nanjero, at the official launching of his EP project, Bald Men Love Better.
