Kenyan radio veteran Mwalimu Rachel has described her long-standing professional partnership with DJ Xclusive as the "marriage she never wanted."
Speaking on the AMTV podcast with Alex Mwakideu, the Kiss 100 presenter reflected on a career spanning nearly two decades.
The duo has shared a microphone for eight years across different stations. Their chemistry has become a staple of Kenyan airwaves. Rachel joked about the longevity of their work relationship during the wide-ranging interview.
The ‘Marriage’ of the Airwaves
Rachel and DJ Xclusive have worked as a team for the majority of her recent career. They spent five years together at NRG Radio before their current three-year stint at Kiss 100 FM. This adds up to an eight-year professional bond.
“It’s 3 years now working at Kiss FM with DJ Xclusive. I even don’t believe that we’ve worked with Xclusive for that long. I have worked alongside him for 8 years. It’s like marriage I never wanted,” she jokingly remarked.
Despite the humorous comparison, Rachel emphasized the importance of professional synergy. She explained that she values how her brand can elevate a station while the station elevates her in return.
This symbiotic relationship has kept the duo successful through various industry shifts.
“He has taught me a lot and he’s crazy. The good thing about Xclusive from what I have seen, he is somebody who means what he speaks. He’s a guy with greater plans,” she added.
A 19-Year Radio Journey
Mwalimu Rachel is currently in her 19th year in the broadcasting industry. She started her journey at Homeboyz Radio. She spent 10 years at the station, which she refers to as her "mom and dad" in radio.
During her time at Homeboyz, she started on the graveyard shift from midnight to 3:00 a.m. She eventually moved to the afternoon slot. It was here that she created the "Class 1-4" brand, which became a massive success.
"I told my boss... give me three months' proof of concept. I was willing to place my employment on the line,” she recalled.
After a decade at Homeboyz, she moved to NRG Radio. She stayed there for eight years before eventually joining the team at Kiss 100 FM.
Life Beyond the Studio
Outside of her radio work, Rachel is a mother to a teenage son. She spoke candidly about the discipline required to maintain high standards in her personal and professional life.
She described herself as "complete" and noted that she does not feel she is lacking anything. Her life is filled with parenting, golfing, and running her "Book Club Brunch" events for women.
