A public clash between former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba and her uncle, veteran broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka, played out at a Nairobi concert over the weekend, bringing a private family tension into full view.
The incident unfolded at the Machoka@50 Grand Concert, held at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Saturday, 10 October, to mark Machoka’s 50 years on air.
The show drew some of the biggest names in rhumba and Kenyan music, among them Koffi Olomide, Mbilia Bel, Sam Fan Thomas, Them Mushrooms and Les Wanyika.
Moment on stage
Orwoba, who is Machoka’s niece, was handed the microphone as he introduced his relatives. She used it to chant “WANTAM” and flash the sign associated with the opposition’s one-term push against President William Ruto.
After being ejected from the stage, Orwoba took to social media to break her silence, saying, “Good morning, lazima nikumbushe uncle mambo ni Wantam.”
Machoka, 73, immediately called on security to intervene. Videos shared online capture him saying: “Please, Security, toa huyu msichana hapa. You can not screw up my job. Next time you are with your uncle, utajua hapa huna neno, utatii.”
Machoka signaled that he would not allow his milestone celebration to be used for politics.
Orwoba replies on Facebook
The following morning, Orwoba showed no sign of backing down. She posted a teasing message aimed at her uncle: “Good morning! Lazima nikumbushe Uncle mambo ni WANTAM!”
Uncle Fred : The Broadcaster Behind the Milestone
Machoka, 73, is one of Kenya’s best-known broadcasters and is fondly called “Uncle Fred”. He served as a General Service Unit officer before moving into broadcasting.
He has promoted African music and culture through his radio and television programmes, and he hosts the rhumba show Roga Roga on Radio Citizen and Citizen TV.
Several social media users framed the incident as a family quarrel aired in public.
Orwoba has been a frequent critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration since UDA expelled her in 2025 over her closeness to former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Her decision to turn her uncle’s milestone event into a political moment has split opinion. Some see it as disrespectful, while others say it fits her outspoken style.
