Blaze Kenya: Be Your Own Boss Reality TV Show Unveiled

Safaricom in Partnership with the Standard Group  has unveiled  Be Your Own Boss Television show ( BLAZE BYOB TV) a culmination of the first phase of Blaze Kenya.

This  is a youth entrepreneurship reality show that aims at inspiring the youth featuring 12 contestants and the 3 judges in the contest.

The show is scheduled to air on Kenya Television Network (KTN) from 6th February 2017 and will run for eight weeks every Monday from 8pm to 9pm.

The three main judges are: Caroline Mutoko, Trushar Khetia, Kevin Ombima aka King Kaka.

Its going to be a good show! I love the energy levels! #BYOBTVShow @CarolineMutoko @RabbitTheKing pic.twitter.com/34wBXR4AVH

— Trushar Khetia (@Trushark) January 18, 2017

Trushar Khetia is the Founder and CEO of the Tria Group of Companies, which comprises of an out-of-home advertising company and Society stores – a retail supermarket chain with branches in Thika, Nairobi, Maua, Meru and Naivasha. He was listed in the Forbes’ 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa 2016 list.

Kennedy Ombima, popularly known as King Kaka, is a prolific rapper and entrepreneur, overseeing a portfolio of businesses that includes artist management, graphic design and apparel under the name Kaka Empire.

The third judge is Caroline Mutoko, one of Kenya’s best known radio personalities and current Chief Marketing Officer at Radio Africa Group. With over 15 years’ experience in radio, Caroline is widely referred to as the undisputed Queen of Kenyan Radio and a voice that inspires Kenyan youth.

The 12 contestants were chosen at auditions during the BLAZE BYOB Summits which took place in Eldoret, Thika, Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu in 2016.

The oldest is 25 years and the youngest 19 years.

Catherine Akoth (21)
Paul Zakaria (22)
David Kimani (20)
Samuel Muraguri (21)
Susan Mueni (21)
Keith Asumba (23)
Susan Maina (20)
Lynnette Achieng (25) 
Vivian Nekesa (19) 
Wayne Ochieng (23)
Joseph Mugweru (24)
Vinesenciah Gisore (21)

The TV series will be on air for a period of eight weeks, during which the contestants will be evaluated on their ability to perform outstandingly well across a series of tasks that will assess their business skills, navigating carefully crafted challenges that simulate real-life situations, and working with mentors and established brands to earn the judges’ and audience’s favour.

Contestants will be eliminated each week, with the overall winner bagging a grand prize of KES 5 million that includes KES 3 million in start-up capital and the remainder in the form of mentorship, financial advice and business support from Safaricom and various partners.

Contestants will be eliminated each week, with the overall winner bagging a grand prize of KES 5 million #BYOBTVShow @BLAZEKenya pic.twitter.com/1OOIgtnRgp

— Trushar Khetia (@Trushark) January 18, 2017

Bob Collymore, the Safaricom Chief Executive Officer noted that the show will be about learning and not humiliation.

“Every year, over 800,000 young men and women enter a job market that can only provide employment to less than an eighth of them. We must find a solution to the challenge of youth unemployment by encouraging them to embrace entrepreneurship and create jobs,” said Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore during the launch of the TV show.

“The title of the show – Be Your Own Boss – reflects what we see as a step towards finding a solution to unemployment, and that is encouraging the youth to create their own employment. We believe that these 12 contestants represent millions of Kenyan youth who can become entrepreneurs, and therefore employers, if they receive the guidance and support required to venture into business,” he added.

Sam Shollei, the Standard Group CEO said they are excited that the reality show will be airing on KTN.

To find the final 12 contestants, Blaze summits took place in 6 towns across the country bringing together over 46,000  youth. 778 auditions took place

Blaze by Safaricom is a Youth Platform that is built to offer youth between 10-26 years an opportunity to make a plan for their life so that they can move ahead and Be Their Own Bosses.

“BLAZE celebrates the young. Those on the road not taken. Who in spite of the critics are now our hope. We celebrate their passion and its effect on the world around us,” reads the manifesto.