Kenyan celebrities Daddy Owen, Wahu, Nameless, DJ Mo and Size 8.
Christmas, a cherished holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated around the world by many on December 25.
For celebrities living in the public eye and must keep posting on social media to woo fans, not many Kenyans get to know about their Christmas traditions away from what is showcased on the internet.
Nation Lifestyle spoke to a few of them.
Millicent Chebet, a digital content creator, known as Milly Chebby among her fans and who has millions of followers together with her husband, comedian Lawrence Macharia (Terrence Creative), says she will be spending Christmas in Eldoret.
Millicent Chebet alias Milly Chebby.
“I have built my mom a beautiful house in the village, and we’re heading there to celebrate. I want to rekindle my childhood Christmas memories of when all my siblings would gather together. Growing up, Christmas meant new matching outfits, my sister and I would wear the same clothes, while the younger two wore another matching set,” she says.
“I remember my mom in the kitchen, preparing meals, which inspired my love for cooking. This year, I hope to see her back in the kitchen, though I will help her out as I also prepare festive recipes to post on YouTube,” she adds.
Anita Nderu.
Anita Nderu, also a content creator, who started off as a radio and TV host, says that now that she is married and has a daughter, they will host a festive feast where loved ones gather to bake turkey, exchange gifts, and catch up.
"I’ll spend Christmas with family and close friends. My husband, Barrett and I started a tradition where we bake turkey and put together a feast for our loved ones which culminates with the exchange of gifts,” she says.
Before the gifting day, she says, invitees submit their requests to Anita beforehand.
“If it is within reason, we try to fulfil each wish. After the meal, we gather in the living room for the highlight of the evening which is opening our presents together. It is always such a heartwarming experience,” she says, adding that she picked the family tradition from her parents.
“My parents hosted a big feast every year, bringing together family and their close friends. My dad loved barbecuing. I’ve always loved giving gifts; even as a child, I would save up throughout the year to buy presents for my family. My dad, without fail, got socks every year and it became our little tradition and always brought a smile,” says Anita who is looking to start filming Season 3 of The Overdressed Cook next year.
Being a mother has also played a role in her Christmas celebrations.
“Before Barrett [husband] and Kaya [two-year-old daughter], Christmas was different. There was a time when my parents were living in Eldoret, so I couldn’t travel for Christmas often. I’d stay in Nairobi, often volunteering to work on Christmas Day so that my colleagues and families could spend the holiday with their loved ones. I didn’t own a Christmas tree or any decorations until Barrett and Kaya became a part of my life. Things changed. Now, we go all out, we set up a Christmas tree and decorate the house. Every other year, we alternate and celebrate Christmas with our family in the US,” she says.
For David Mathenge (Nameless), who has been in the music industry for over 20 years, he and his wife, also a musician, Wahu Kagwi, will travel out of town.
“We usually have Christmas with extended family. However, my parents are old now and can't travel much, so my wife, kids, and I plan to do a road trip out of town to relax and spend quality time together. As performers, we rarely get time off,” he says.
On his fondest memories, Nameless says he remembers how his mother would take them to Uchumi Supermarket to buy a pair of jeans, a shirt, and a pair of sandals.
“That was the highlight of Christmas. She would also buy tomato sauce and jam, those items were like a luxury back then, and they signalled that Christmas had arrived. We’d decorate a tree with cotton wool to make it look like snow and cook chapati, which wasn’t a regular meal in our house. I would wear my new outfit proudly, and the whole family would be together. It was such a joyful time,” he says.
Does his family have Boxing Day traditions?
“My wife, children and I have a Secret Santa tradition. Everyone picks a name, and we have a few days to buy a thoughtful gift for that person. On Boxing Day, we exchange gifts and reveal who got who’s present. It is a fun and heartwarming activity that brings us closer together,” Nameless says.
Owen Mwatia, popularly known as Daddy Owen.
For Daddy Owen [Owen Mwatia], a gospel musician, he will be celebrating Christmas in Nairobi.
"I normally spend Christmas with my family in Kakamega, but this year I will be engaged as a guest artiste at Safari Park for their annual Christmas celebration event,” he says.
Some of his best childhood memories revolve around eating chapati, a treat they ate once a year, on Christmas Day.
Daddy Owen shares that being single does not make him feel lonely during this festive season.
"We come together as cousins, friends, and neighbours, making the season lively," he says.
Growing up they had no gifting tradition, but he says the festive season’s highlight remains a bullfighting ceremony held in his Eshifiru village in Kakamega County on December 26.
“It’s the climax of our celebrations, bringing the whole community together,” he says.
DJ Krowbar on the decks at Carnivore grounds, where he won the Pilsner DJ competition on December 28, 2008. Photo/MOHAMED DAHIR
Fredrick Ngatia, known as DJ Krowbar, is a gospel DJ. In recent months, DJ Krowbar has openly discussed his wife, Wanjiru Kirumba's health challenges. Two years ago, Wanjiru was diagnosed with an acute kidney injury.
For most DJs, he says, Christmas Day is a working day.
“DJs don't travel during this time because we’re often booked for gigs. My Christmas Day typically involves staying at home in Nairobi, ready to take on any last-minute work. Sometimes, I have events on Christmas Eve,” he says.
Does he give gifts to his children during Christmas?
“We don’t gift our children during the Christmas season because we believe in giving them what they need throughout the year,” he says.
Growing up, Christmas was all about church. “On Christmas Eve, we would have concerts as teenagers, it was the highlight of the season. Spending time in that environment shaped how I view the holiday as a time for reflection and community,” says the DJ whose plan for 2025 is to acquire a new skill, cooking.
DJ Mo and his wife Size 8.
Samuel Muraya, known in his circles as DJ Mo, has a huge following on social media, together with his wife Linet Munyali ( Size 8).
In August this year, Size 8 announced they had separated after 11 years of marriage. However, DJ Mo says they will be together for Christmas because of the children.
"Children come first. We’ll spend time as a family. We often don't spend a lot of time with children because of work, Christmas will bring us together. Our differences and whatever it is that people believe do not matter. Christ is the reason for the season,” he says.
