Legendary Kenyan songstress Sanaipei Tande recently offered candid insights into her relationship with social media platforms, revealing her reasons for shying away from TikTok.
During an appearance on Dr. Ofweneke’s rapidly growing podcast, “Lessons @30,” Tande also shared the story of how she was introduced to Instagram by fellow entertainer Oga Obinna.
TikTok: “This Not For Me”
Despite Dr. Ofweneke describing her as “one of the bubbliest and, of course the most jovial, the happiest souls” he has ever met, Sanaipei Tande unequivocally stated her absence from TikTok.
“I don’t do TikTok. I’m not on TikTok,” she affirmed.
Tande elaborated that her initial exposure to TikTok was unusual, noting that the platform seemed to heavily feature videos requiring users to dance.
As someone who does not dance extensively in her performances, she quickly determined, “me I don’t dance so I’m just like this not for me”.
She also expressed surprise at finding her own videos on TikTok without her knowledge, questioning, “who did this? How is this even happening?”.
Instagram: A Reluctant Embrace
Sanaipei Tande’s journey onto Instagram began in 2015, spearheaded by Oga Obinna. She admitted to initial reluctance and scepticism about the platform’s purpose.
“Why am I joining Instagram? No, you just take a picture and you put it there and people like and I’m like where’s the substance in that?” she recalled asking.
However, Tande eventually conceded to joining, acknowledging its global prevalence and her professional needs within the entertainment industry.
“Globally that’s what’s working. So, I had to get into it because also I’m in the showbiz business and that’s what people like,” she explained.
Beyond Social Media: A Deep Dive into Her Roots
Tande’s conversation with Dr. Ofweneke also touched upon her early life and career. Sanaipei Tande is a prominent Kenyan musician, actress, and radio personality.
She gained initial fame as a member of the pop group Sema, which emerged from the Coca-Cola Popstars competition in 2004.
Following the group’s disbandment, she successfully transitioned into a solo career, releasing several popular songs and establishing herself as a respected figure in the Kenyan entertainment industry.
Her musical journey began with the Coca-Cola Pop Stars competition, where her brother, two and a half years her senior and her “ride or die,” encouraged her parents to take her for auditions.
At the time, she was a self-described “shy introvert” studying pharmacy at KMTC, a career choice partly motivated by her desire to avoid extensive public interaction. Despite her shyness, her parents were highly supportive, with her father taking her to auditions.
by moses sagwe
