Kenyan born UK based Deejay putting Kenya on the music world map

By Caroline Nyanga

April 21st 2015 

Prince Otach

Gabriel Karegwa, popularly known as Prince Otach, is a DJ credited with popularising Kenyan music abroad. He had a chat with CAROLINE NYANGA.

Why the name Prince Otach? 

It was given to me by a section of my fans back home due to what they described as my ability to put a ‘midas’ touch to the Kenyan disc jockeying department locally and abroad. So is that what you specialise in? I am Kenyan deejay cum emcee known to keep Kenyans abroad entertained through the art I learnt and perfected in Nairobi for more than two decades. I can boast of having performed in every corner of our country and abroad in Germany, UK, Japan, Hungary and Spain.

How did you make your way abroad? 

My fame in the UK did not come overnight. It dates back to the days, when I hosted a local show at one of the most popular media houses that enabled me tour the country and expand my fan base. I was sponsored by veteran Kenyan Reggae singer JahKey Malle, who was impressed by my way of music presentation. At the time I worked as a deejay at his club - Holly Wood, situated along Moktah Dada Street, Nairobi in 2004. One thing led to another and by God’s grace, I was soon headed to Germany to stage my first ever show upon invitation by a German university student who visited the club. Upon arrival, I did numerous shows for four years (from 2004 to 2008) before I finally decided to move to the UK.

In the UK, I landed a contract at the famous Kenyan club Thatched House for two years working as a deejay cum emcee.

And what are you working on now? 

Let’s just say it is something unique and different from what has been done with my predecessors. Mine is aimed at changing the dented image of Kenyan entertainers abroad besides promoting our music and culture and putting Kenyan entertainment on the world music map.

Not really, considering that the biggest challenge comes from a section of Kenyans living in the diaspora who have a tendency of undermining one’s effort with an intention to create disunity amongst ourselves. But I have since learnt the ropes.

How do you manage abroad?

Initially settling abroad was not easy. Many a times I opted to do menial jobs in order to make ends meet. They ranged from doing clean up jobs to packing food for patients in hospital, working as a chef, doing delivery services for Amazon and working in a food factory. However, today I can proudly look back and say I have made it taking into consideration the numerous IT jobs in the UK and US I do whenever I am required.

Has it been easy championing the project...

Not really, considering that the biggest challenge comes from a section of Kenyans living in the diaspora who have a tendency of undermining one’s effort with an intention to create disunity amongst ourselves. But I have since learnt the ropes. How do you manage abroad? Initially settling abroad was not easy. Many a times I opted to do menial jobs in order to make ends meet. They ranged from doing clean up jobs to packing food for patients in hospital, working as a chef, doing delivery services for Amazon and working in a food factory. However, today I can proudly look back and say I have made it taking into consideration the numerous IT jobs in the UK and US I do whenever I am required.

And your education? 

I completed my secondary education at Eastleigh High School and passed with good grades but music was a great part of me.

I also studied  IT  at Westminster University Harrow Campus.

Any special person in your life?

Yeap, but I prefer to keep my private life private.