This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
Published on June 8, 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought the entertainment industry in Nakuru to its knees. Disc jockeys and master of ceremonies, who rely heavily on social gatherings for their livelihood, are among those worst affected.
Timothy Gitahi, a renowned disc jockey known as DJ Teemoh, has been forced to abandon his trade and take up farming after the government banned all social gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. Gitahi's farm, which spans 20 by 20 meters, is his new source of income.
"I usually entertain guests during ceremonies like weddings, corporate and state events, meetings and conferences. But now all these have been banned," Gitahi lamented. He had over 15 events lined up between March 13 and the ban, but they were all called off.
Another affected individual is Meso Sume, a master of ceremony who depends on his job to provide for his family. Sume lost 10 events between March and April and had to refund the full down payments for four of the events he was to preside over.
Entertainment groups and live bands have also suffered due to the Covid-19 spread, with many struggling to make ends meet.
