It is normal to hear stories of individuals who have come from nothing to adversity and made it in life.
However, the experiences that some people, particularly in Kenya, have undergone to achieve incredible milestones are inspiring and eye-opening.
One example is Kenya’s popular TV and radio sports commentator, Fred Arocho. His is a story of encouragement and positive influence to be emulated by various upcoming soccer stars in the country.
Early Life
The ‘Laduuma’-famed presenter was born on 27th November 1976 ahead of his identical twin brother Bill Arocho. He grew up in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate and went to Einsworth Primary school before joining Pumwani High School.
Arocho’s football career journey
He started playing soccer at the age of 7 for Tayo Sportiff in Eastleigh. His love for the game continued until his high school level, where he featured professionally for teams such as ICDC FC and NSSF FC.
He graduated from playing Kenya’s top league upon completing his secondary school education level. He turned up for Sony sugar for one and a half seasons before shifting allegiance to KCB where he helped the bankers gain promotion into Kenya’s top league in 1997.
Arocho also featured for the national youth teams during the East and Central youth championships held in Mombasa and the under 23 Olympics youth qualifiers in 1995, where he got a chance to play against African soccer stars like Celestine Babayaro, George Finidi, Jay Jay Okocha among others.
After decades in the local football arena, Arocho hung boots at Re-union FC before he enrolled at the Kenya polytechnic, where he graduated with a diploma in Business administration.
Fred Arocho at Radio Jambo
Due to his love for the game, which made him attend various matches, Arocho got his luck during the Mathare vs. Gor Mahia Match staged at the Nyayo stadium. During the match, the vocal radio and Tv pundit caught the ears of former Radio Jambo’s programs controller Carol Radull, who invited him for an interview.
“I joined the media through a very funny coincidence. It was a match at Nyayo stadium, where Mathare United played Gor Mahia. So I attended that match and incidentally, Carol Radull also attended the match with some fans and there was an issue that brought that game to a halt.
“I was very vocal about what stopped the match and Radull was seated close to me. She asked, “Well, can I have your number so that we can discuss the issue that stopped the match on my show?” he said.
Arocho accepted the offer and went on to be interviewed by Radull.
“During her show, she called me live on the radio and I explained the reason I thought the referee’s decision was wrong, and she liked my argument.
“A week later, she called and told me Radio Africa was starting a new station called Radio Jambo and asked if I would like to join the team and become an analyst.
“Well, I took the challenge, and the rest is history. My interview was done in English. For the first week, Radio Jambo was an English station. Many people might not remember, but it was an English station. So I joined, and we did our first show in English, then it turned to Swahili.
Jane Wambui: My daughter spent my Sh. 2m Saudi savings on parties, drinks
“I am so proud that it has turned into a big station. I call it success because I put a lot of hours into my content,” he added.
Radio 47
Arocho currently works at Radio 47, having left Radio Jambo as a sports commentator in a big money move. He also features in various TV stations in the country as a sports pundit. His salary is estimated to be over Sh. 500,000.
