RADIO HEADS

Known for their pleasant voices and eloquent English, Cate Sidede, Terry Muikamba and Anne Mwaura open up about life on air, their personal struggles and why they love radio.

- ALISON SIFUMA, VIVIAN MAINA and ADUH KYALO

THE KISS 100 MID MORNING SHOW PRESENTER

CATE SIDEDE, 28 IG: @catesidede

One of my fond childhood memories is driving down Waiyaki way with my mom and pointing out to Lions place [Radio Africa group] as my future workspace. At the time I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to do, except that I wanted to work there.

It wasn’t until grade 13 or 14 at Brookhouse during career day that I knew exactly what I wanted to pursue. One speaker talked about PR and Marketing and it resonated with me. I wanted it, and that is what I studied for at Brighton’s University in the UK.

The decision to quit my job at a marketing and events company and join NYCE FM an online radio platform in 2015, did not sit well with my parents. For a minute I felt like I was letting them down. But even though it wasn’t according to their script, they came around to support my ambition. After a year at NYCE FM,I felt ready for mainstream radio and sent demos to several radio stations including KISS FM which I joined in 2016.

Many people know me more for ‘the daily dirt’, the girl with all the gossip rather than my mid-morning show. Being on radio is like having a veil over you. People recognize my voice, more than my face. A few people come up to me asking if I am 'the' Cate or I look like Cate from KISS. It's an honour to be a part of their lives even if it's virtual and for a short window in their day. I love when people message me or tweet me. Being a solo presenter means you are talking to yourself the whole show. But that tweet or that DM shows that someone is listening, and knowing that in a way I may have made someone laugh or smile makes my day worthwhile.