Veteran Kenyan broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka’s 50th anniversary in the media industry took an unexpected turn after he confronted his niece, former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba, over political chants during his highly anticipated celebration in Nairobi.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, where Machoka had brought together prominent politicians, celebrities, musicians and friends to celebrate five decades of his broadcasting career.
What was meant to be a memorable evening honouring one of Kenya’s most recognisable radio personalities briefly shifted into a tense exchange after Orwoba took to the stage and appeared to introduce political messaging associated with the ‘Wantam’ movement.
Videos of the confrontation subsequently circulated on social media, drawing attention from Kenyans who were surprised to witness the disagreement between the veteran broadcaster and his niece unfold publicly.
Fred Machoka Calls Security to Remove Gloria Orwoba
In footage shared online, Machoka is heard expressing his displeasure as he calls on security personnel to escort Orwoba away from the stage.
The broadcaster appeared determined to prevent the political chants from taking over an occasion organised to celebrate his professional achievements.
“Please, security, toa huyu msichana hapa. You cannot screw up my job,” Machoka is heard saying in the circulating video.
He subsequently addressed his niece directly, warning her that she would have to respect his position when appearing alongside him at such events.
“Next time you are with your uncle, utajua hapa huna neno, utatii,” he remarked.
His reaction suggested that he was unhappy with the direction the moment had taken, particularly because the gathering was intended to celebrate his milestone rather than serve as a platform for political mobilisation.
Orwoba was subsequently escorted away from the stage as the incident attracted attention from those attending the celebration.
The available footage captures the confrontation, although it does not establish every detail of the exchange or the full circumstances leading to the disagreement.
Why Gloria Orwoba’s ‘Wantam’ Message Attracted Attention
The controversy comes against the backdrop of Kenya’s increasingly charged political environment as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
The term ‘Wantam’, derived from the phrase ‘one term’, has become a popular political slogan among critics of President William Ruto’s administration who oppose his re-election.
The slogan has featured at political gatherings, public meetings and entertainment events, occasionally turning otherwise non-political occasions into platforms for expressing dissatisfaction with the government.
Its appearance at Machoka’s golden jubilee added an unexpected political dimension to an event primarily organised around music, entertainment and the broadcaster’s achievements.
For Orwoba, the gesture also reflected her increasingly strained relationship with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) following her political fallout with the party.
The former nominated senator was elected to the Senate through UDA in 2022.
However, her relationship with the ruling party deteriorated after she became associated with political figures opposed to sections of the administration.
In May 2025, UDA expelled her from the party and moved to have her Senate seat declared vacant.
The dispute subsequently became the subject of legal and political proceedings.
Her departure from the ruling party marked a significant shift in her political trajectory, with the former senator becoming increasingly outspoken on governance and other national issues.
Against this background, her participation in the Wantam chants at Machoka’s celebration was likely to attract attention beyond the immediate disagreement with her uncle.
Fred Machoka’s Golden Jubilee Draws Music Legends and Political Leaders
Despite the unexpected confrontation, Machoka’s anniversary celebration remained a major entertainment occasion, bringing together personalities from Kenya’s media, political and music industries.
Dubbed the Machoka@50 Grand Concert, the event celebrated the broadcaster’s five decades in the profession and his contribution to popularising rhumba music among Kenyan audiences.
The advertised entertainment lineup featured Congolese rhumba superstar Koffi Olomide, celebrated singer Mbilia Bel and Cameroonian musician Sam Fan Thomas.
Other performers included Cindy Le Coeur and Kenyan veteran musical groups Les Wanyika and Them Mushrooms.
The gathering also attracted prominent public figures, underscoring Machoka’s longstanding relationships across different sectors of Kenyan society.
The event was particularly significant for fans who have followed his career through radio and television over several decades.
Although the disagreement with Orwoba became one of the evening’s most widely discussed moments, the concert had been organised to celebrate Machoka’s enduring influence on the country’s broadcasting and entertainment industries.
Who Is Fred Obachi Machoka?
Fred Obachi Machoka is among Kenya’s best-known veteran broadcasters, having built a career spanning approximately five decades.
He is particularly celebrated for his distinctive presentation style and his role in popularising rhumba music through radio programmes, including the widely recognised Roga Roga show.
His broadcasting journey has made him a familiar voice to generations of listeners, especially music lovers who appreciate Congolese rhumba and other forms of African dance music.
Over the years, Machoka has developed a public profile that extends beyond broadcasting, establishing relationships with entertainers, politicians and other influential figures.
His golden jubilee therefore represented more than a personal milestone; it was also an opportunity to recognise his contribution to Kenya’s media landscape.
The confrontation with Orwoba introduced an unexpected twist to the celebration, placing the veteran journalist at the centre of a national conversation that extended beyond his professional achievements.
Gloria Orwoba and Fred Machoka’s Family Relationship
The incident also attracted interest because Machoka and Orwoba are relatives, with the broadcaster being the former senator’s uncle.
Their family connection has occasionally attracted public attention, particularly when Orwoba has discussed her personal ambitions and interactions with the veteran journalist.
In June 2026, Orwoba spoke about her earlier interest in becoming a radio presenter, revealing that she had approached her uncle in the hope that he could help her enter the broadcasting industry.
She recounted that Machoka had declined to connect her at the time, joking that he did not want trouble with her father.
The revelation offered a glimpse into their family relationship before the latest incident placed them in the headlines for a different reason.
The confrontation at the anniversary celebration has now brought that relationship into the public spotlight, with the disagreement unfolding in front of guests and being captured on video.
However, the incident alone does not establish the state of their broader family relationship or whether the disagreement will have lasting consequences.
A Celebration Overshadowed by Politics
Machoka’s golden jubilee comes at a time when political messages are increasingly finding their way into entertainment events and other public gatherings.
From concerts to religious meetings, the Wantam slogan has become a recurring feature of public discourse, illustrating how the political debate surrounding the 2027 elections continues to reach audiences beyond conventional campaign platforms.
The developments have also raised questions about the boundaries between personal celebrations, entertainment and political expression.
For event organisers and performers, maintaining the intended atmosphere can become challenging when public figures introduce political messages into programmes designed for other purposes.
In Machoka’s case, the veteran broadcaster appeared unwilling to allow the political exchange to overshadow an occasion celebrating his professional legacy.
His decision to call security to remove Orwoba has since become one of the most talked-about moments from the event.
Whether the confrontation will have implications for their family relationship remains unclear.
What is evident, however, is that an evening designed to honour five decades of broadcasting ended up generating additional attention because of an unexpected intersection between family ties, entertainment and Kenyan politics.
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