Joe Girard, a renowned American author, once remarked that “the elevator to success is out of order. You will have to use the stairs one step at a time.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the journey of Jeremiah Nyaga Njoroge, better known as Chef Gathemba, whose rise to fame is a true rags-to-riches story marked by perseverance and resilience.
In a candid interview with Jeff Kuria, Gathemba shared that before he achieved his current success, he had to endure a series of humble beginnings, including working as a gardener and a matatu tout. These experiences were stepping stones that eventually led him to acting roles at Royal Media Services (RMS) and later, a prestigious presenter position at Kameme FM.
Gathemba’s story begins in Subukia, Nakuru County, where he was born and raised. He attended Sidai Primary School and later Kieni Secondary School. After completing his secondary education, Gathemba faced financial challenges that prevented him from pursuing college. Determined to support his family, he sought out menial jobs, eventually moving in with his aunt in Githumu, Murang’a County. She helped him secure his first job as a gardener at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Despite the low pay, Gathemba made the most of his free time by accompanying his aunt, who worked at the Nakuru County Government.
During this time, Gathemba nurtured a passion for music, writing vernacular songs in the hopes of becoming a well-known artist. However, the low wages at KEMRI—just Ksh80 a day—led him to seek better opportunities. This quest brought him to Nairobi, where he stayed with his cousin in Dandora. It was here that Gathemba was introduced to a former Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) employee, who gave him a chance to perform at the Kenya National Theatre. Although he exaggerated his comedic experience to land the role, Gathemba quickly honed his craft and began securing more substantial acting jobs, including performing in set book productions that took him across the country.
However, when these acting opportunities dried up, Gathemba found himself at a crossroads and returned to Narok to try his hand at farming. Encouraged by his colleagues, he eventually returned to Nairobi, where he developed a Maasai accent that became his signature and opened up new acting roles for him.
Gathemba’s big break came when he was cast as Madvd’s uncle on Citizen TV’s popular show Machachari. The role catapulted him to fame almost overnight. However, success came with its own set of challenges. As the show’s season ended, Gathemba found himself without steady work and turned to alcohol as a way to cope with the stress. This addiction became his downfall, leading to a period of deep personal and professional struggles.
“I became a tout after the acting gigs dried up,” Gathemba recounted. “I was dealing with alcohol addiction because of the stress. People who recognized me from TV assumed I had squandered a fortune. They mocked me, and I found myself drinking more and more, to the point where I could only function when drunk.”
Realizing the toll this lifestyle was taking on his life, Gathemba made the difficult decision to turn things around. He eventually secured a role on Inooro TV’s Micii ni Ndogo, which reignited his passion for acting. Simultaneously, he worked on improving his voice-over skills, which led to a job at Media Max Limited as part of their creative team. This position proved to be the gateway to his current role as a presenter at Kameme FM.
“After doing several adverts for Media Max, I was absorbed into the creative team. This opened the door for me to join Kameme FM, where I now co-host the morning show Arahuka with Gatonye wa Mbugua,” Gathemba shared.
Gathemba’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, illustrating that even when the elevator to success is out of order, taking the stairs one step at a time can lead to remarkable achievements.
