Saturday night at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi was meant to be a grand celebration of media history. Veteran radio journalist Fred Obachi Machoka hosted the Machoka @50 Grand Concert, marking exactly 50 years of his career in broadcasting.
Machoka, 73, is widely known as "Uncle Fred." He built his long-standing reputation by popularising rhumba music through his Roga Roga programme on Radio Citizen and Citizen TV.
The golden jubilee brought together thousands of fans alongside prominent public figures. Attendees included Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Central Organization of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.
Political Chants Intercept the Stage
The atmosphere shifted during a segment where Machoka called his family onto the stage to introduce them. Among those who stepped forward was his niece, former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba.
While on stage, Orwoba began making political hand signals and shouting "Wantam." The slogan, meaning "one term," is used by political critics opposing President William Ruto's administration.
The sudden political messaging drew immediate reactions from the crowd and interrupted the celebratory flow of the event.
"You cannot screw up my job,” Fred Obachi Machoka told her.
Direct Orders to Security
Visibly displeased by the political display, Machoka paused his address. He immediately called on security personnel to intervene and remove his niece from the stage.
"Please security toa huyo msichana hapa," Machoka instructed security officers.
He made his professional boundaries clear to the audience and to his relative.
Machoka also reminded Orwoba of her familial respect toward him. "Next time you are with your uncle utajua hapa huna neno utatii," he stated before she was escorted away.
Background and Context
The relationship between the two public figures is direct. Machoka's sister is Orwoba's mother, confirming their uncle-niece relationship.
Orwoba has experienced recent political friction. She was expelled from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party following allegations of party disloyalty and attendance at opposition-aligned gatherings. She was subsequently removed from her nominated Senate seat.
