ONE ON ONE: STL Yamumo

Stella “STL” Yamumo is a go-getter and a bright mind on a journey of excellence. The high-spirited and light-hearted damsel is the “Tuchapiane” show host that airs on Mtaani Radio, a community-based radio in Dagoretti South. LILYS NJERU chats up the “Talanta Mtaani” co-host, seasonal emcee and voice-over artist about said journey.

Besides being a go-getter, what else are you?
Short and sweet.

Whoa… there’s actually a song that goes by that title…
I know but I promise, my intro’s got nothing to do with the jam.

I could bet on my favourite watch that you are 17… save me. How old are you and when did you get into radio?
Let’s just say that I am in my early 20s. This was my first job as a radio host and I got it a year after graduating from college, where I studied mass communication. It has been four years on air!
However, it wasn’t something that I had always decided to do. At one point I even thought of enrolling for an accounting course, because I had a laidback personality, but one day a friend revealed that he liked calling me because of my voice. He said that if I worked on the ‘shyness’, I would do well in media. That was my light bulb moment, and here I am.

What’s the most interesting thing about being on air?
I get to work, impact lives and still have fun while at it. I always don’t feel like I’m really working. I love every moment of being on air; radio is my first love.

Tell us more about “Tuchapiane”
It’s a three-hour mid-morning show (10 am to 1 pm) on youth empowerment. We have different topics: inspiration, talents, politics, drugs, emerging issues and entertainment among others.

How’s the experience, being both on radio and TV?
It is amazing. I am passionate about empowering young people so I was thrilled when I won an audition to host “Talanta Mtaani” which airs on Triple P TV. The show is about uplifting talented youth across the country. The TV and radio programmes complement each other incredibly.

Let’s laugh about your most embarrassing moment on air…
Hahaha. I don’t have one that I can single out but there are quite many. Sometimes it can be mispronouncing words on air or have guys hit on me live on air.

Who do you compare yourself to?
None. I am my own competition but I have several people that I look up to – Caroline Mutoko, Amina Abdi, Talia Oyando, Mwalimu Rachael and Oprah Winfrey, in no apparent order.

Do you have days when your fans disappoint? Like they don’t contribute to the topic of the day?
Yes. I face that sometimes but it doesn’t dampen my spirit. I have learnt not to measure the success of my programme with the number of callers because I often meet people who listen to my show but have never called or sent a text.

What don’t your fans know about you?
After four years of hosting the show solo, there are many times when I talk to myself loudly.

What do you love most about yourself?
My voice. It’s melodious...Thank you.

If you were to live on a typical island, what would you take with you?
Music…it never disappoints.

What’s on your playlist right now?
Neil diamond, UB40 and a lot of upbeat music. I keep changing though but one song that I can’t delete is “Stereo Hearts”.

What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learnt in your career journey?
Let me say two. One, always take action and, two, be grateful where you are.

If you could trade lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
That would be President Uhuru Kenyatta. I would want to know how it feels to be a president even if it’s just for one day.

What are your future plans?
I’m looking forward to being in mainstream media and spread my wings…learn, challenge myself and grow!! Hosting shows like The Trend would be a dream come true.

QUICKFIRE

Are you dating?
There is too much love around me that I often forget to check my love status…true story.
If you could reincarnate as something or someone else, what would it be?
Probably a man. And not just an ordinary guy. Pray be as hot as Theo Walcott or Trey Songz.
What is your biggest addiction?
Chocolate.
What celebrity annoys you the most?
Oh, this might get me in trouble. Pass.
What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Lips…the luscious the better. I don’t know if you are going to ask me about the second thing so let me just say that I appreciate a man with a smart IQ.
What would you do with your five seconds moments of fame?
Soak up in the moment.
What’s your greatest fear?

Being broke.