Classic FM characters Maina and King’ang’i are the brainchild of one of the most accomplished media personality ever lived.
Jimmy Gathu is the one who conceived Classic FM characters Maina and King’ang’i and made the station what it is today.
The legendary media personality boasts two decades of experience in the industry having worked for all leading media houses in Kenya.
In a recent interview on The Standard, Gathu recalled how he shaped the media industry in Kenya through his ingenious creativity.
One of the many shows Gathu created was Niaje – a youth talk show where Nazizi, Redsan and DJ styles were discovered.
He is also credited for creating the popular Klub Kiboko, which is a kids’ show that has been airing on KTN for more than 20 years.
However, one of the most outstanding creation by Jimmy Gathu is Classic FM characters Maina and King’ang’i.
When Gathu moved Radio Africa Group, he made a lasting impact that is being felt to date, and that is Maina and King’ang’i.
“I designed Maina and King’ang’i, that was my concept. Patrick Quarcoo (Radio Africa CEO) told us that he wanted us to take the station from obscurity to at least the 2nd or 3rd best radio show in the country within 9 months.
“I called Maina and King’ang’i (for a meeting) and told them not to discuss any politics on the show. Maina was surprised but I told them to let Caroline Mutoko (of Kiss 100) and everyone discuss politics,” Gathu said during an interview with the Standard.
Jimmy Gathu then gave directions on the characters he wanted the two presenters to portray on air.
“You and Churchill (Daniel Ndambuki) should touch on human interest stories, specifically relationships. Maina I want you to support women irrespective of their decision, just be their guy and then you King’ang’i, be that male chauvinistic uncle we all remember or that teacher who doesn’t like women and don’t make any apologies for it,” he said.
Maina and King’ang’i went on the become the most formidable breakfast show duo in Kenya, and to date Classic FM presenters is among the top radio stations in the country.
Despite his creativity and impact on media, Jimmy Gathu discovered he was not invisible after all when Nation Media Group unceremoniously fired him in 2016.
The renowned media personality was declared redundant in 2016 at the height of his career, an experience that opened a whole new world of experience.
Gathu was jobless for six long years in spite of his experience in the media industry. During that time he got so broke that at one point he was begging for Ksh1,000 from friends just to survive.
However, things turned around for Jimmy Gathu in March 2022 after he landed a radio job with Spice FM which is owned by Standard Media.
