Exactly what do you do for Safaricom?
My name is Emmanuel Langat Maina. My stage name as a musician is Manu Maina. I am a Partner Engagement Officer at Safaricom. This means I am a link between tech companies that have partnered with Safaricom in the IT space. Basically, there are Human Resources, administration, and logistics components in my job.
What did you study in school?
I have a degree in Film Technology from Kenyatta University. So, I’m quite conversant with production, cameras and doing movies.
What are your film credits?
I was the director of ‘Angle of my face’ which premiered in I-max and won Best East Africa short film at 2015 Zanzibar International Film Festival. I was also the director, producer, and editor for ‘Hanging chances’, a very low budget film – I used KES 17,000 to do a 55-minute feature film that we shot in four days. You can watch it on YouTube. I was also co-producer for ‘Pillow Talk’ which got screened across the country. Currently I have several scripts cooking but limited resources have been a challenge in the quest to do movies and television series for Showmax and Netflix.
How did you join Safaricom?
I started as a customer care representative back in 2017. I applied in 2016, got in in 2017 and I have been able to grow from that position over the years.
What do you love about working for Safaricom?
Having grown from the customer care level I have seen how Safaricom impacts people’s lives every day. So, that drives me. I enjoy working in the tech, digital space because everything right now has a tech component. Also, Safaricom encourages growth, learning, unlearning and there is flexibility so one can do everything that encompasses them to bring value to the team.
How does your creativity get expressed at Safaricom?
My creative expression at Safaricom is through production, photography, film and emceeing at events. I also do podcasts, ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Performance Engineering’. My musical side not so much. Although I sang during a Safaricom Christmas concert last year.
Best thing something has done for you?
I was given a chance. Our Information Technology director, George Njuguna has been so kind. He saw me speaking at an event and he saw the potential in me to switch into the technology side. He mentioned my name in rooms that I wasn’t in, which gave me a chance to present what I have on the table. He has also given me a platform beyond what I was used to, like venturing to emcee gigs.
Experience of working in Safaricom Ethiopia?
It really opened my mind to the fact that solving problems transcends all barriers. People are people wherever they are. Ethiopians are very keen on culture and religion. Their food was amazing, lots of chilly. I loved their music, it is fast-paced, high pitched, and full of percussion. It’s like a mix of Indian, Arabic and a little bit of South American music blended together. And they’ve modernized their traditional instruments. Ethiopian women are extremely beautiful.
How did you start doing music?
As the basketball captain in Litein High School in Kericho, I was dared by teammates to sing in church during closing day. I Sang and wowed people and realised I have a gift.
Tell us about your musical journey
After high school in 2009 I was part of a gospel group, Gcomm. It was tough, expensive, and eventually guys went their separate ways. When I joined KU in 2011, I joined a boys’ A cappella group, Taifa Muziki. We performed for presidents during state functions and did a 4 state USA tour. Then life happened and the band fizzled out by 2015. At that point I had to concentrate on finishing film school. Later I went solo under the stage name Manu Maina.
Number of songs released so far?
I have 3 songs. The first song was ‘Many, Many Miles’ which I did back in 2015. The struggle with perfectionism saw me release it in 2020. In 2021, I did two tracks, ‘My Queen’ which was audio and video and ‘Natural Sauna’ which was audio only. I’m intending to do an album this year.
Describe your musical style.
My sound is Avant Garde – experimental. It is inspired majorly by Riddim, Dancehall, and Afrobeat. Getting to have a sound is not really something that you can just get. You have to try various sounds and see what works. So, I am on that journey.
What is your purpose in music?
Initially, I felt like I should use music to impact society and all but over time due to the difficulties I’ve experienced, now music is just a way to express myself artistically. With no societal pressure.
Does music pay in Kenya?
No. From everything that I’ve invested in terms of music, I have not earned a single cent.
Share your thoughts on the Kenyan creative space.
We have more genres available, more communities around niche music and art. But growth and consistency is lacking. The Internet has opened distribution. Tech has simplified music production. Tech innovations which even Safaricom is involved in have FinTech capabilities, meaning artistes can be able to earn from their art directly. The biggest problem with our creative industry is corruption. There are very many industry brokers. Better government policies are needed and state bodies (MSCK) need reforms.
Favourite musical genre and artistes?
In Afro beat I rate Burna Boy. I consider Jose Chameleon as the best artist in East Africa. I think Nyashinski and Khaligraph are OGs. I love Sanaipei Tande and Muthoni Drummer Queen. Internationally I groove to Stromae.
What don’t people know about you?
I’m an ambivert. People think I’m an extrovert full time, 100%, but that’s not true. I have a lot of seasons of silence, seasons of just being alone in the house, seasons of just being just quiet. Also, I’m a very spiritual guy. I’m actually born again, and go to church every Sunday.
Parting shot.
There are 2 big weaknesses for a creative which I also struggle with. One is perfectionism. Having projects clogged up in your system blocks you from being able to express yourself more. So, the best thing to do is to release them. Half-baked is better than not baked at all. The other thing is procrastination. Best advise is just do something, just start. Write one line, edit one cut, compose just a paragraph of a song. And before you know it you are in the zone.
This story is in celebration of the UN World Creativity and Innovation Day commemorated on 21 April to raise the awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development. Creativity is open to interpretation and ranges from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic, social and sustainable development.
