Rachael Muthoni aka Mwalimu Rachel. I’m doing radio, I’ve done television shows like the Couples Show on K24 and Unaitas Top Chama Show on Citizen Television. I’m a voice-over artist, I emcee and I’m a motivational speaker.
Family Life and Education
I was born and raised in the coast region for 13 years. When I was joining high school my dad decided to retire. He built a home in Embu and we all relocated. As teenagers we hated it but he loved it since it was his retirement plan but we soon got to like it too, plus high school was a good distraction, shout out to Kyeni Girls. I know it’s typical for Nairobians to go to Mombasa for holidays but I go for the memories.
How she Got the Name Mwalimu Rachel
I had this idea to have a virtual classroom. At first, I went under the name Rachael Muthoni but it felt like something was missing. So with the concept of the show and how it took shape, I thought why not go all in and establish this brand name.
Teacher Wanjiku and Mwalimu Rachel
Do people confuse you with Teacher Wanjiku?
Yes! I think people started recognizing both of us at the same time. It’s happened about two or three times. I’ve been told ‘you’re so funny, ‘and I’m like I hope you’re talking about me.
Mwalimu Rachel and sailor’s music group
Mwalimu Rachel is the manager of the five-man group which has been giving Kenyans a taste of new music.
The mother of one revealed she stops some of the lyrics and even ensures raunchy parts of music videos are edited out.
Her sentiments come after Ethics recent song was criticized by Kenya Films and Classification Board chairman Ezekiel Mutua
Gengetone is a rising music style in Kenya that has been accepted by the public and the youth have also reciprocated by going to the studio to make music.
However, most of the lyrics and videos are quite raunchy, which is what Sailors Gang manager and radio personality Mwalimu Rachel is against.
In a tweet, the controversial manager, who came under fire for controlling the group’s music on YouTube, revealed she actually stops some of the lyrics and also ensures raunchy parts of the music videos are edited out.
“I too have had to stop certain lyrics from appearing on Sailors tracks and even why a part of a video has to be edited out. I go a step forward to explain to Sailors why that has to be done,” Mwalimu Rachael wrote.
She goes on to say the crew may challenge what she says but does understand why its that way. She added Gengetone artistes being so young need to be advised and guided to avoid messing up along the way.
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Mwalimu Rachel accused of assaulting Sailors’ Miracle Baby’s friend
Popular radio presenter, Mwalimu Rachel, has been accused of assaulting a friend of Sailor’s singer Peter alias Miracle Baby. Martin Mbugua accused the presenter alongside four others of beating him up.
According to an Occurrence Book (OB) report at Kinoo Police Station, Rachel who manages Sailor’s Gang beat up Mbugua after Miracle Baby allegedly failed to show up for a commercial shoot. Speaking to Standard Digital, Mbugua’s guardian said the matter was booked under OB number 12/18/1/2020.
Mbugua’s guardian said that they had reported the matter at Kinoo Police Post under OB number 12/18/1/2020. Source: Original
According to Mbugua, they are close friends with Miracle Baby since their childhood growing up in the same children’s home, Streetnizers Ministries Transformation Centre.
Narrating the events of what transpired, Mbugua said that they engaged in a couple of things and ended up spending the night at Peter’s grandmother’s place in Gachie and attended the burial of their close friend the following day.
According to the young man, when they went to drop Miracle at his place in Kinoo, the self-proclaimed Auntie wa Sailors was waiting for them at his place and immediately started attacking him before he invited the men she was with to rough him up.
With Peter locked in the house, Rachel and her crew went on to torture the young man to the extent of attacking his manhood for close to three hours. He was later rushed to the hospital and was given a P3 form. The NRG radio presenter is yet to respond to the assault accusations facing her.
Interview with Nation Media
Where were you born?
I was born and raised in the coast region for 13 years. When I was joining high school my dad decided to retire. He built a home in Embu and we all relocated. As teenagers we hated it but he loved it since it was his retirement plan but we soon got to like it too, plus high school was a good distraction, shout out to Kyeni Girls. I know it’s typical for Nairobians to go to Mombasa for holidays but I go for the memories.
How long have you been on the radio?
Ten years. It takes years to establish a brand and that’s what young people need to understand. I started off as an intern at Homeboyz though I did a brief stint at Ghetto Radio. At Homeboyz I did the midnight show from 12 to three in the morning, you will be surprised that people listen in during those hours. There are so many insomniacs in Nairobi. I worked with the likes of Ciru Muriuki and Austin Chimano before he joined Sauti Sol,
All on the same show?
Yes, it was fun and interesting. It was the best time to make mistakes and learn the ropes. I did sports news even though I had no idea what I was doing or saying. An opportunity later opened up to join the afternoon slot and that’s when Class 124 came about.
Who do you consider your competition in the urban radio space?
First and foremost, myself. I am my own competition and I try to outdo myself. I have got a lot of respect for Mwende Macharia on Radio Maisha and we are friends, she does a good job.
Do you share every single detail of your life on social media?
I will not share anything that I know will come back to haunt me, or anything my family would not approve of. People don’t need to know everything about me, a little bit of suspense and mystery is nice.
What perks do you get because of being a known media personality?
When you’re starting off no one knows you. I used to go to events and G Money would be on the guestlist getting special treatment and I was like ‘but I’m also from Homeboyz’ (laughs). But that gives you the motivation to work harder so that your name is on that VVIP list. My brand, my name is one of the perks that I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate. When I go to an event they don’t have to check the list. I mean, there is no way I will waste my time gatecrashing, we used to do that when we were interns. I’m too busy for that now.
Do you get to travel?
Yes, but there is one I missed last year, it was a Coca Cola event to Dar es Salaam. It’s about feeling special knowing that my name means something in this industry.
How do you make sure fame doesn’t get to your head?
It’s about character, I know people change but if you have had a strong foundation growing up, you don’t take it lightly. We were raised to be respectful however annoyed you maybe and want to ask someone ‘do you know who I am? It is then that you ask yourself who you are then telling yourself to calm down, sit down and be humble. Those virtues have grounded me. I don’t hang out with people that are too deep into the industry and have forgotten who they are. We might be acquaintances or colleagues but I don’t let that rub off on me.
Are you endorsing any brands now?
I’ve worked with so many brands over the years, Coke Studio is one of them. Right now it’s Infinix S2 Pro now. I’ve worked with Mrs. Styles who dresses me and that’s basically it. I’m praying for more doors to open.
Do you get to keep the clothes when designers dress you?
Sometimes I do and sometimes they are just for an appearance, it’s like Hollywood, you don’t get to keep all those things. But it depends on the kind of relationship you have with the person giving you the clothes or the store. Some are really expensive dresses. It’s how we survive, we all rent every once in a while.
Have you interviewed any rude personalities on your shows?
It’s not the rude ones, it’s the boring ones. I’ve had those uphill interviews oh my Lord! Not all politicians are as exciting as they are on podiums. You might think that some online personalities are vocal and chatty but in person, they are not as interesting.
Who’s your idol?
One of the people I consider my idol and I’ve met but are really cool is Julie Gichuru, she’s a lovely woman. The other is Caroline Mutoko, in fact, we are supposed to have lunch. One day I just walked up to her and introduced myself and she said ‘yes Mwalimu’. I was surprised she knew me. She’s a strong awesome woman who will not waste your time sugarcoating things.
What does the bigger picture look like for you?
My company MRX Media, that’s my baby and it was “born” last year in June. We are a youth culture movement that wants to inspire young people to achieve more and be brave enough to go after what they want. We want to connect brands to these youth. We want to be a that big wave.
You have a whole team behind your brand as Mwalimu Rachael, why do you need a team?
It’s imperative to point out that I have a team because I’m doing other things aside from radio. Whether you’re doing just one thing or your coupling it up with other online engagements it’s important to have a team because that’s how you become a brand. Without a team you will struggle to keep up with stuff. I’m doing radio, I’ve done television shows like the Couples Show on K24 and Unaitas Top Chama Show on Citizen Television. I’m a voice over artiste, I emcee and I’m a motivational speaker. I need to get organised when calls come in and I’m needed for gigs or photo shoots. I can’t keep up even if I have a diary so the team handles all this.
At some point doesn’t it get exhausting, especially when you have to update all your social media platforms?
In the morning I’m not that engaging on social media but I will be seeing what’s going on, what’s trending and that will be my reference point. I’m online in the afternoon because that’s when my show is happening live and it helps with real time engagements on air. In the evenings when I’m relaxing or at an event I will still be online, but it does get exhausting. I don’t Facebook or tweet round the clock but when I have an online campaign I have an administrator who comes in to schedule and post on my behalf. You just don’t wake up and become a big brand that young people associate with if you don’t engage with them. I started with Twitter when I began my afternoon show, and even then I was like I already have Facebook, how many social media platforms can I be on?
When do you get to enjoy your downtime?
I just have to tear myself away from the world sometimes, I have to say no to some jobs when I’ve had enough and I feel it’s time to get away, bond with my family, tap into myself and enjoy some peace of mind.
Do people confuse you with Teacher Wanjiku?
Yes! I think people started recognising both of us at the same time. It’s happened about two or three times. I’ve been told ‘you’re so funny, ‘and I’m like I hope you’re talking about me. (Laughs)
And the name Mwalimu Rachael, how did you come up with it?
I had this idea to have a virtual classroom. At first, I went under the name Rachael Muthoni but it felt like something was missing. So with the concept of the show and how it took shape, I thought why not go all in and establish this brand name.
Have you ever been surprised by where a fan is communicating from?
There’s a time someone tweeted from I think Venezuela, and it was not a Kenyan it was a native of that country. He said he’s a constant listener, loves the show and he was trying to learn some Swahili from the show.
