Safaricom’s youth network BLAZE unveiled the 12 contestants who will be taking part in its new reality show, BLAZE BYOB TV Show, which will premiere on Monday 6th February 2017 on KTN.
BYOB TV Show series will be on air for a period of eight weeks, during which the contestants will be evaluated on their ability to perform outstandingly well across a series of tasks that will assess their business skills, navigating carefully crafted challenges that simulate real-life situations, and working with mentors and established brands to earn the judges’ and audience’s favour.
Contestants will be eliminated each week, with the overall winner bagging a grand prize of sh5 million that includes sh3 million in start-up capital and the remainder in the form of mentorship, financial advice and business support from Safaricom and various partners. However no contestant will go home empty-handed, with each receiving a consolation prize that will go towards supporting their businesses upon elimination.
“The title of the show – Be Your Own Boss – reflects what we see as a step towards finding a solution to unemployment, and that is encouraging the youth to create their own employment. We believe that these 12 contestants represent millions of Kenyan youth who can become entrepreneurs, and therefore employers, if they receive the guidance and support required to venture into business, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore during the launch of the TV show.
Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei engages Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore during the launch of Blaze BYOB TV Show at iHub
The contestants were selected from Nairobi, Rift Valley, Central, Western and Coast regions, and include: Susan Mueni, Joseph Wanja, Paul Zakaria, Cate Akoth, Valentine Nekesa, David Kimani, Wayne Ochieng’, Sam Ngure, Susan Maina, Vinsencia Gisore, Keith Asumba and Lynette Achieng’.
The aspiring entrepreneurs are all aged below 26 years, with the youngest being 19 years and were selected following a rigorous auditions process that was carried out during the BLAZE BYOB mentorship summits held between June and October 2016.
The TV show is based on a reality TV-show concept designed to be relatable to a Kenyan audience.
The judges are;
Trushar Khetia is the Founder and CEO of the Tria Group of Companies, which comprises of an out-of-home advertising company and Society stores – a retail supermarket chain with branches in Thika, Nairobi, Maua, Meru and Naivasha. He was listed in the Forbes’ 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa 2016 list.
Kennedy Ombima, popularly known as King Kaka, a prolific rapper and entrepreneur, overseeing a portfolio of businesses that includes artist management, graphic design and apparel under the name Kaka Empire.
The third judge is Caroline Mutoko, one of Kenya’s best known radio personalities and current Chief Marketing Officer at Radio Africa Group. With over 15 years’ experience in radio, Caroline is widely referred to as the undisputed Queen of Kenyan Radio.
The BLAZE BYOB TV show will air on KTN between 8.00pm and 9.00pm every Monday, beginning 6th February 2017 and closing with a live grand finale on Monday 27th March 2017.
