Radio personality Dennis Mutuku, popularly known as DJ Nomanoma, is not happy despite a successful finale at the Syukile Music Premier League.
The event, which aimed to spotlight and support local talent, ended on a sour note for Nomanoma after comments made by Benga music icon Kennedy Ngunze, also known as Ken Wa Maria.
In a fiery Facebook post, Nomanoma vented his frustrations, accusing Wa Maria of dampening the spirits of the rising stars who had poured their heart into the competition.
“The competition was good,” he wrote, “but Wanzanze [Wa Maria] did bad by discouraging the winners. You can’t tell a winner that he’s wearing a cap worth 50 shillings instead of buying him a better one. We’re here to support them, not belittle them!”
The DJ, who had high hopes for the finalists, was especially disheartened by Wa Maria’s jab at the league’s standout artist, Bunduki.
According to Nomanoma, the Benga maestro dismissed Bunduki’s future potential, calling his talent “raw” and unsuited for live performances. “That hurt me to the core,” Nomanoma shared, “because I expected you to encourage them. Instead, you mocked them. Please stop with the bitterness, mister!”
At the finals, the top three winners received guitars and other musical equipment, hoping the awards would mark a promising beginning to their careers.
The champion went home with a trophy, a solo, rhythm, and bass guitar, while the runner-up received two guitars, and the third-place winner took a solo guitar.
Wa Maria had been invited not only to present the awards but also to motivate the young musicians and showcase his own legendary band.
