Singers Jonathan Joju, Miss Birech, Trevor Victor and Bakhita Achieng’ are the Rift region winners of the Tusker Nexters talent search that took place at the Eldoret Sports Club on the weekend. Tusker Nexters is the beer brand’s nationwide talent search, which is part of its 100-year anniversary campaign, and has so far been to Meru, Kisumu and Nairobi with the aim to give a platform to the next generation of Kenyan talent in music and eSports, which is organised electronic sports.
The two-day event series saw 145 musicians from the rift region and its environs arrive at the Eldoret Sports Club, all of them convinced that they are the next big thing in music and eSports. Adjudicating the music auditions through the weekend were Kenyan music stalwarts Fena Gitu, Jua Cali and Mejja, alongside Eldoret-based producers Mic Rule, Dan and Blaster. Also adding his expertise to the panel of judges was renowned former Tusker Project Fame judge, Ian Mbugua.
Out of the 145 that auditioned for the event, it was four singers that ended up being selected to represent the Rift region at the finals in May. Speaking about his journey through the audition, vocalist Jonathan Joju dedicated his victory to his girlfriend, who brought the auditions to his attention on the week before the event. Singer and songwriter Birech was late for the Nairobi audition a week ago, but managed not only to make it for the Eldoret edition, but to win it as well. “After missing out on Nairobi, I knew I had to make it for this one. The fact that I have emerged as one of the finalists is proof that I have what it takes to be the best,” added the Kenyatta University student.
Over the two-day event, Eldoret was brought to life, with performances on Saturday night from genge artists Mejja and Jua Cali, as well as Fena Gitu. There were also activities and prize giveaways that kept the audience’s energy levels high throughout the day.
Caroline Jebet, the Rift Divisional Sales Manager for KBL remarked on the momentum that the Tusker Nexters talent search series has gathered so far. “This is the fourth event out of five in the nationwide talent search. Throughout the regional events, we have seen some truly outstanding talent come through from the Rift region. The judges have a hard time choosing who will proceed to the next stage to represent us, so I have no doubt that the four that have been chosen to represent us are the best. The level of competition has been extremely high.”
The Tusker Nexters talent search will proceed to the Coast with the next audition scheduled to take place on Saturday, 9th April, 2022, at the Butterfly Pavilion grounds in Mombasa, where top musical talent from this region and its surroundings will get the chance to showcase their talent in music and eSports.
