NANCY KIHENIA: Tall on telly

• Big things, they say, come in small packages and Nancy Kihenia is the personification of that line. The 4’11’’ feet tall host of the popular Crossover101 gospel show on NTV is one ambitious girl. Sensing trouble when the recession hit America, Nancy packed up and returned home where she found success and is convinced she made the right decision. She spoke with PHILIP MWANIKI

How long were you in the US?

Eight years. I left for college when I was still a teenager. I attended the University of North Texas and studied Journalism.

Did the recession hit you hard?

No. I was still working and unlike many people, I had a chance to resign from my job at a uniform rental company. Many others were laid off when the recession hit. I just saw the future and it looked gloom and it was then that I decided to come back home and explore my options. I was to come for just three months but within those three months, I realised there were many opportunities and decided to stay.

Lucky girl.

I thank God for that because the recession really hit the US hard and people suffered.

How long did you stay before you got a job?

Again, thanks to God, I did not stay for long, just one month I guess. I met my very good friend, singer Kaberere, who connected me to many of the major gospel personalities in Kenya and I helped launch Power Radio. I then worked at Mo Sound Entertainment for two years.

How did you end up on TV?

It started as a discussion while I was at Mo Sound and my colleagues kept saying I am suited for TV and they kept pushing me to try TV. Then one day, we were doing the Groove Awards hype and came to Crossover101 for an interview.

You were being interviewed?

Yes. That was in January last year. Viyerrah did the interview. After that I did a screen test and three weeks later I was on TV hosting Crossover101. It was amazing.

You moved from a guest to a host in under a month? How did you find it?

I was happy but extremely nervous but the Crossover101 team really helped make me feel wanted and to fit in.

My first show was at Sunshine Secondary school and I knew that if I failed there, it was over for me so I seized the moment and it went well. I kept picturing myself tripping over the cables on live TV and I was scared but thankfully nothing happened.

How do you find TV?

It is an amazing platform to spread the Word of God and getting to connect with the audience every Sunday morning.

Did you do any media work in the US?