Fred Machoka brought his audience to an emotional standstill at his Machoka@50 golden jubilee celebrations when he paused the party to introduce his family to thousands of fans gathered at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Saturday, 10 October.
The outdoor nighttime event, held to mark five decades in broadcasting, was lit up with truss lighting rigs and tented structures as the veteran broadcaster took centre stage with his loved ones beside him.
In video footage captured in vertical format by an audience member, Machoka is seen addressing the crowd before bringing his family forward one by one. He introduced his siblings, his niece, and then turned to the moment that got people talking.
“My sister here, my baby sister, my baby brother, and his lovely wife, my niece, thank you. This is my grandson, Ethan. This is my lovely daughter Angel. And this is Mama Angel the girl. 47 years she has been taking care of me for 47 years from my mother’s arms to her arms Sophie, Mama Santos, Mama Angel, Mama Nari, Mama Victor,” he told the cheering crowd.
Machoka’s tribute to his wife of 47 years
The broadcaster’s praise for his wife was one of the most touching moments of the night. Referring to her by the names Mama Santos, Mama Angel, Mama Nari and Mama Victor, Machoka credited her with caring for him for 47 years, drawing warmth and applause from those in attendance.
He then gently asked his family to step aside so he could address his fans. “Please, if you can now move back. Give me all the time. Welcome to the Final,” he said with a smile.
Fans online praised the family moment, with many commenting on young Ethan and daughter Angel, who were both seen sharing the spotlight with the legendary broadcaster.
A night of Rhumba royalty
The golden jubilee was far more than a family affair. The celebrations drew some of the biggest names in rhumba music, with performances from Koffi Olomide, Mbilia Bel, Sam Fan Thomas, Les Wanyika and Them Mushrooms among the highlights of the night.
Machoka, widely regarded as the father of rhumba in Kenya through his long-running Roga Roga programme on Radio Citizen, has been a cornerstone of the country’s broadcasting landscape since he began his career five decades ago.
The night wrapped up with speeches, performances and a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the remarkable milestone.
