Jaguar
Personal details
Born
Charles Njagua Kanyi
Occupation
  • singer
  • politician
In office
9 August 2017 – 9 August 2022
Preceded byMaina Kamanda
Musical career
GenresAfropop

Charles Njagua Kanyi, professionally known as Jaguar, is a Kenyan politician, singer, and philanthropist.

Early life and education

Kanyi attended Magutu Primary School and later enrolled at Senior Chief Koinange Secondary School, where he took his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination (KCSE).[1]

Music career

Jaguar released his debut single "Utaweza Kweli" under the Mandugu Digitali record label in 2004. He became a part of the East African music production team, Ogopa Deejays, in 2005.[2] During his time with Ogopa Deejays, he released several singles, including his most well-received track "kigeugeu". In 2013, Jaguar began recording at Main Switch Studios,[3] which was founded by his long-serving record producer, Philip Makanda,[4] formerly of Ogopa Deejays.[2]

He has since recorded multiple singles, including "Kipepeo", "Kioo", and "One centimeter", featuring popular Nigerian recording artist, Iyanya. He also collaborated with the well-known South African duo, Mafikizolo, in a single titled "Going Nowhere".

Political career

In 2015, Kanyi was elected as the director of the National Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, a position he held for two years.[1][5][6] He also became a member of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare.[7]

On 9 August 2017, Kanyi was elected to represent the Starehe constituency in Nairobi under the Jubilee Party, having secured more votes than his competitors Steve Mbogo, Boniface Mwangi, and Mwaniki Kwenya. Prior to this, he had surpassed the incumbent Member of Parliament, Starehe Maina Kamanda, in a nomination race for the Jubilee Party ticket in April 2017.

On 24 January 2022, Kanyi affiliated himself with the United Democratic Alliance[8] to contest for reelection in the Starehe constituency.

References

  1. 1 2 "Hon. Njagua, Charles Kanyi | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "OGOPA DEEJAYS". ogopadeejays.co.ke. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Mainswitch Studios". mainswitchstudios.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "These are the top 7 music producers in Kenya - Kiss FM". Kiss FM. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Okoth, Brian. "President Uhuru Kenyatta appoints singer Jaguar as NACADA board member - Entertainment News". Standard Digital News. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse - HOME". www.nacada.go.ke. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Hon. Njagua, Charles Kanyi | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  8. ↑ "Jaguar Joins Ruto's UDA".


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