It is a meeting of two Kenyan giants. On one side sits Jeff Koinange, the veteran journalist with the unmistakable voice. On the other is Bien-Aimé Baraza, the Grammy-certified lead singer of Sauti Sol.
While the conversation on the I Am podcast covered global fame and musical legacy, it was a simple question about sleep that left the host visibly surprised.
Eight Hours vs Four
The revelation came when Jeff asked the musician how he spends his time when he isn't in the studio. Bien was quick to admit that he prioritises rest. He explained that on a "good night," he ensures he gets a full eight hours of sleep. Even when things are busy, he rarely lets his rest dip below a certain threshold.
"Me, I have to do the full eight," Bien told the host. "Six is a bad night." He added that if he only manages six hours, he must compensate with a two-hour nap during the day to stay functional.
This prompted an immediate reaction from Koinange, who revealed his own gruelling schedule. The journalist admitted he only sleeps for four hours a night.
"You’re happy. You’re lucky. I sleep for only four hours,” Jeff Koinange told him.
The Cost of the Morning Grind
Bien was sympathetic to the veteran newsman’s situation. He noted that Jeff’s decades in the media industry, which often require pre-dawn wake-up calls for breakfast shows, have fundamentally altered his internal clock.
“These years in media have ruined you because you have to wake up at 3:00 a.m, I’m so sorry.”
In contrast, Bien explained that while he also enjoys waking up early, it is a choice driven by personal discipline rather than an external mandate. "There’s no gun to my head to wake up in the morning," he remarked.
A Life of Gratitude
This focus on well-being and rest is a far cry from Bien’s early years. During the interview, he reflected on growing up in an unfinished house in Rongai after his parents were retrenched. In those days, he did his homework under the dim light of a lamp because the house lacked electricity.,
Today, Bien describes himself as being in a place of gratitude. He believes that acknowledging the good times is essential, especially after surviving the "dark times" of his youth.
"I’m in such a good place man... when you’re in a good time in your life you should acknowledge it."
While Sauti Sol is currently on a hiatus, Bien is not slowing down. He revealed he is working on what he calls the "most amazing Kenyan album in history," rooted in local cultures like Mugiithi and Ohangla.
However, no matter how busy the recording schedule gets, it seems the superstar will still be making time for those crucial eight hours of rest.
