He always had a passion for radio when he was growing up as a young boy in a remote village in Kiambu County.
Jeff Kuria who now co-hosts Inooro FM breakfast show 'Hagaria' says, his long and bumpy journey to radio started in 2005 at the Kenya National Theatre and River Road where he used to do voice-overs for gospel artists.
"Most people that I interacted with said I had a voice for radio but I didn't know anyone that could help me get there," Kuria told this writer on Sunday.
He adds: "I, however, knew one late popular gospel artist (Joseph Waweru 'Wamagegania') who in turn knew the then head of Inooro, Zulu Thiongo, and he promised to connect me with him. I waited, recorded so many demos and nothing was forthcoming."
Kuria says he finally came to meet Zulu later and many times, but again nothing came out of it. He is, however, quick to note that Thiong'o could have been testing his patience.
In the meantime, Jeff continued to scout for other opportunities elsewhere including Nation FM, KBC TV, Coro FM where he was unsuccessful.
"When nothing seemed to work for me locally, I left for Tanzania where I worked as a voice-artist for East Africa TV. On returning to Kenya, I worked for Radio Salaam in Mombasa and many others. No breakthrough yet. I gave up for good and concluded that I wasn't meant for radio," he adds.
But as fate would have it, the moment that Jeff had waited for so many years came knocking on January 15, 2007 when he received a call from Zulu telling him to report for auditions at the station in a week's time.
He was successful after a strenuous audition process and was hired a day later as a voice-over artist. His duties included voicing commercials, classifieds, reading news among others. Jeff also voiced for Radio Citizen as well.
Nine months later, Inooro began a 24-hour broadcast and Jeff was chosen to present news during the after midnight show (Racuria). Later, he was to present the show himself which he did between 2007 and 2011 when he was moved to the afternoon youth show (Kuihuria) which he hosted till February 2016.
Currently, he hosts the station's breakfast show, Hagaria, alongside Wambui Wa Muturi.
Kuria who describes himself as a Radio Presenter, Talent Scout and an Entrepreneur, says he has climbed many mountains and crossed many ridges to get to where he is.
For instance, he says he tried a Kikuyu stand up comedy which failed badly due to lack of funds. This did not, however, discourage him as today he can show the fruits of his efforts.
"In 2011, I started campaigning against alcohol and drugs which I still do up to now. In 2016, I started 'Njorua Cia Uini' where I created new stars like Jose Gatutura, Sam Kiambo, Phylis Mbuthia and others. I have also mentored several youths through churches and schools," Kuria notes.
His advice to young people is to keep on trying till they perfect it.
"Do all the mistakes while young but never give up. Focus is the key thing in this business. Be persistent, consistent and most of all be a champion," he says.
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