‘Prezzo’ leads Kenyans to Big Brother Africa

Kenya has three contestants in Africa’s biggest reality television show, Big Brother Africa.

They are led by celebrity contestant, self-proclaimed “King of Bling” Jackson Makini aka Prezzo, and brothers Alex and Malonza.

The show that houses contestants and follows them through 91 days, is back for the seventh run, and was launched on Sunday night in Johannesburg, South Africa.

It has a total of 35 contestants from 14 countries across the continent, and were selected to take part in the competition dubbed “Big Brother StarGame”.

The Kenyan rapper, famous for landing at an award show in a helicopter and is known for his flashy lifestyle, says he was inspired to audition for the show as he saw it as a challenge given he loves attention.

Prezzo’s role model, he told the Nation, is “Barack Obama because he believed in himself and made the impossible possible”.

Single father

The 32-year-old single father of one says he is proud of his musical career because of the heights he has attained.

Asked what people will remember him for after the show, he promised to bring “action”, a popular line from his first song, Naleta Action.

“Remember that I’m an entertainer, so they should expect anything and everything.”

He describes himself as cool, calm and collected, and says his best quality is the ability to entertain people.

The celebrities will live in a house separate from the “general population” where the main contestants will be housed.

There are 28 contestants from 14 countries and Kenya has two housemates, brothers Alex Chege 23, and Malonza Chege 22.

Alex, whose nickname is “Mgash”, is currently studying for a degree in computer science; he already has a diploma in business and communication technology under his belt.

His favourite foods are listed as nyama choma (roasted meat) and French fries and his favourite book is The Secret. He likes watching Medical Detectives on TV and listening to Adele.

His favourite actor is Leonardo DiCaprio. He quotes his role model as Apple’s Steve Jobs (who died last year) “for his determination to bring a new era in the field of technology.”

Alex cites his mother as a huge influence on his life “because she does a lot for the family and no matter how much we have annoyed her, she still loves us.”

He was inspired to sign up for Big Brother StarGame by his brother – and game partner – Malonza.

“Since we didn’t get along, I found Big Brother an opportunity to bond with him,” he says.

Asked how he feels knowing Africa will be watching him 24/7, he says “it’s amazing, particularly knowing my friends will be watching,” he says.

As for his brother, Malonza, he is more of a couch potato who enjoys watching African mini-series Jacob’s Cross, Changing Times, Big Brother, Modern Family and Alcatraz.

He says the best thing about Africa is “its wonderful people, beautiful land and bountiful natural resources”.

His favourite place in Kenya is Mombasa — “sun and sand are my thing” — and outside of Africa, Dubai “because of the way they have taken their country to a whole new level with development and diversity of economic resources”.

Like Alex, his role model is his mother: “Ever since I was young she has been there for me, provided for me and taught me to be who I am today — a great, loving caring person”.