When former NTV journalist Lolani Kalu asked Kenyans to help him out in October 2020, they did not disappoint him.
He used the donations he got to open a music recording studio where he is nurturing talent.
He also purchased film equipment which he is passionate about, and is back to life once again.
“As of now, I have a recording studio, a camera to do my recordings and to also go live with,” he said while thanking those who came through for him according to Word Is.
Lolani added that he had done a music theory on a Swahili book Mawe Saba which he would like the Ministry of Education to help him shoot its video.
“I have written a music theory book in Swahili titled Mawe Saba and I would like to request the Ministry of Education to have it in schools for music lessons,” Lolani stated.
“I have also recorded songs in the studio and I would kindly ask them to help me in shooting the video.”
Despite being a towering figure in Swahili journalism, Lolani faded off the scene after his unceremonious sacking by NTV.
Years later, a viral photo of a frail-looking Lolani emerged, and Kenyans asked what happened to him.
Lolani opened up that he moved back to his home village in Kilifi and that he used all his savings on his deceased father, who had a strange illness that left him drained as he tried to get him the best medical care.
His father died aged 89. He opted to remain in the village to take care of his mother, who is now 89.
He narrated that he got conned of Ksh1.5 million by a contractor to build him a retirement home in Kangundo, Machakos County.
In Kilifi, where his life now is, he runs a community-based initiative where he has been nurturing young people in acting, scripting and music.
Although he said that he is not bitter with life given his celebrity status and the challenges he is going through, what touched Kenyans is his appeal for a video camera and a computer to continue helping talented youth in his home village.
“I only need two things. A good video camera and a computer. The creativity is still there and all I need is equipment to work and to help the young people here in my village,” he told the Standard.
From his plea, Kenyans of goodwill have since sent him over Ksh250,000 to purchase a camera, a computer and set up a media production company.
“Many Kenyans have been sending between Ksh 50 and Ksh 100 and I am simply overwhelmed. I lack words to express my gratitude to the well-wishers from far and wide, who have sent whatever they had to my cell phone line via mobile money,” he revealed.
“I will use this money to buy a camera and sound equipment.
Ksh200,000 for the camera and Ksh50,000 for sound equipment.”
The 56-year-old father of three has been working in an office without a laptop, making his work difficult.
