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Eastlandah worked at a local [[post office]] before joining college in 2006. First majoring in [[English literature]], he later on switched colleges, joining [[Daystar University]], a [[Christian]] college from where he was majoring in [[Communication]]. He later on dropped out citing issues with [[academic]] [[credential]]s and alleged impending suspension. He joined [[Radio]], shortly working for Radio Simba in [[Nairobi]]. This move saw him do [[reportage]] for vast numbers of media houses, from K.B.C to Capital and [[SABC]] before finally joining [[Nation Media Group]] as a [[blog]]ger during the 2007 state elections and an [[online journalist]]. It is an open word that he is the pioneer of youth retro-journalism at around this time, when most media houses were invaded by young journalists out to prove their worth. To date, he is still revered for his street features on [[Mungiki]] in Kenya, drugs in Nairobi, and F.G.M, which brought him unrivaled fame and fortune in those years. |
Eastlandah worked at a local [[post office]] before joining college in 2006. First majoring in [[English literature]], he later on switched colleges, joining [[Daystar University]], a [[Christian]] college from where he was majoring in [[Communication]]. He later on dropped out citing issues with [[academic]] [[credential]]s and alleged impending suspension. He joined [[Radio]], shortly working for Radio Simba in [[Nairobi]]. This move saw him do [[reportage]] for vast numbers of media houses, from K.B.C to Capital and [[SABC]] before finally joining [[Nation Media Group]] as a [[blog]]ger during the 2007 state elections and an [[online journalist]]. It is an open word that he is the pioneer of youth retro-journalism at around this time, when most media houses were invaded by young journalists out to prove their worth. To date, he is still revered for his street features on [[Mungiki]] in Kenya, drugs in Nairobi, and F.G.M, which brought him unrivaled fame and fortune in those years. |
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It is alleged that Eastlandah dabbled in [[drug]]s during these years, often acting as a [[middleman]], but he's never publicly acknowledged or denied. It is however known that close friends associated with the Eastlandah during this period died or fell off the public eye under mysterious circumstances, and most were known [[drug lord]]s. He however admits in interviews that most of these years were spent on the streets trying to "make an honest dime". Most of his poetic pieces have veiled references to these years in the cold. |
It is alleged that Eastlandah dabbled in [[drug]]s during these years, often acting as a [[Wholesaler|middleman]], but he's never publicly acknowledged or denied. It is however known that close friends associated with the Eastlandah during this period died or fell off the public eye under mysterious circumstances, and most were known [[drug lord]]s. He however admits in interviews that most of these years were spent on the streets trying to "make an honest dime". Most of his poetic pieces have veiled references to these years in the cold. |
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===2008–present: Eastlandah=== |
===2008–present: Eastlandah=== |
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===Influences=== |
===Influences=== |
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Eastlandah cites [[Maya Angelou]] as his main influence. He also notes Bishop, [[Malcolm X]], [[William Shakespeare]], [[Ben Jonson]], [[Richard Lovelace]], {{Disambiguation needed |
Eastlandah cites [[Maya Angelou]] as his main influence. He also notes Bishop, [[Malcolm X]], [[William Shakespeare]], [[Ben Jonson]], [[Richard Lovelace]], [[Robert Herrick]]{{Disambiguation needed|date=June 2011}}, [[Edmund Waller]], [[Thomas Carew]], [[William Wordsworth]], [[Samuel Taylor Coleridge]], [[Percy Bysshe Shelley]], [[George Byron, 6th Baron Byron|Lord Byron]], and [[John Keats]] as some of the major factors in his choice of poesy. |
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==Philanthropy== |
==Philanthropy== |
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Eastlandah created the Youth Hall of Fame to help in recognising youth enterprises and efforts. He has performed in [[poetry]] [[concert]]s to raise funds for both [[charities]] and the [[foundation]]s he is a member of, and launched the Eastlandah Fund, as an endowment to help fund viable online start-ups with a promising future, run by young people. In 2009, Eastlandah initiated the "sanitary towels per term" project to help keep girls in schools, through provision of sanitary towels to at least last each individual a term. |
Eastlandah created the Youth Hall of Fame to help in recognising youth enterprises and efforts. He has performed in [[poetry]] [[concert]]s to raise funds for both [[charities]] and the [[foundation (non-profit)|foundation]]s he is a member of, and launched the Eastlandah Fund, as an endowment to help fund viable online start-ups with a promising future, run by young people. In 2009, Eastlandah initiated the "sanitary towels per term" project to help keep girls in schools, through provision of sanitary towels to at least last each individual a term. |
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A [[women's rights]] [[activist]], Eastlandah plans to launch V-MEN in Kenya to bring together men in the fight against what he terms, "[[Rape|Vaginal violence]]". His personal "need a hand-here" project will see the first group of bright but needy students graduate from high school. |
A [[women's rights]] [[activist]], Eastlandah plans to launch V-MEN in Kenya to bring together men in the fight against what he terms, "[[Rape|Vaginal violence]]". His personal "need a hand-here" project will see the first group of bright but needy students graduate from high school. |
Revision as of 15:16, 30 December 2011
Wesonga David is a Kenya artist, journalist, poet and Youth Ambassador, and the 2008 Adeste Gold medal recipient.
Biography
Early life
Eastlandah was born in Mumias, Kenya to Pamela Keya and Jackson Keya, a family health officer and an accountant cum farmer. He is the last born in a family of seven, two sisters and five brothers. He attended school in Mumias, St Peter's Primary before moving to Maragoli with his mother where he attended St. Francis Hambale Primary school. In school, his writing prowess was well recognized and was the first ever individual to have a school paper evaluated by a board over score points criticism. in 1996, he moved back to Mumias with his mother, who was retiring at that time and joined the local Township primary school. He missed out entry to National school by a cut off three points, and this later on had devastating effects on him, and he cites it as a major reason for dropping out of college. For his high school, Eastlandah went through several high schools, often ending up expelled or suspended and finally sat for his college level entry exam in 2003, at Mumias school.
In 1999, his brother James Mutinyi died. He dedicates most of his writings to him. His father, Jackson Keya left the family in 1999, and married elsewhere. The anger over the desertion still seems to haunt Eastlandah to date judging by his comments and lifestyle. He is an avowed critic of fathers and men who relegate family duties. He does not see eye to eye with his father.
2004–2006: college and the aftermath
Eastlandah worked at a local post office before joining college in 2006. First majoring in English literature, he later on switched colleges, joining Daystar University, a Christian college from where he was majoring in Communication. He later on dropped out citing issues with academic credentials and alleged impending suspension. He joined Radio, shortly working for Radio Simba in Nairobi. This move saw him do reportage for vast numbers of media houses, from K.B.C to Capital and SABC before finally joining Nation Media Group as a blogger during the 2007 state elections and an online journalist. It is an open word that he is the pioneer of youth retro-journalism at around this time, when most media houses were invaded by young journalists out to prove their worth. To date, he is still revered for his street features on Mungiki in Kenya, drugs in Nairobi, and F.G.M, which brought him unrivaled fame and fortune in those years.
It is alleged that Eastlandah dabbled in drugs during these years, often acting as a middleman, but he's never publicly acknowledged or denied. It is however known that close friends associated with the Eastlandah during this period died or fell off the public eye under mysterious circumstances, and most were known drug lords. He however admits in interviews that most of these years were spent on the streets trying to "make an honest dime". Most of his poetic pieces have veiled references to these years in the cold.
2008–present: Eastlandah
Eastlandah David founded Eastlandah - the company in 2008 and later on the group in 2009. A futuristic media group, with stakes in recording studios, modeling, management and online media, the group is due to release its first hum of products this year with the album and new media portals. Already launched is the online media citizen journalism website, citijournal.com, the first in E.A. In addition, Eastlandah is the founder of "the Youth Hall Of fame-Kenya", an initiative aimed at recognizing and rewarding the youth. He however labeled it a product of love, and rarely talks about it. It is run by Carol Kinuthia.
In 2009, Eastlandah was made a youth ambassador by the youth movement international, in a drive to help the U.N. achieve its goals for a positive society. He was later on awarded the Adeste gold Medal, an award to "unsung under 40 heroes of the society", in recognition of his fight for human equity through arts and the written word. It was officially presented to him in Nairobi in April 2009. He was the youngest individual inducted into the international library hall of fame, as a silver entrant for his wide ranging works, and still is an avowed preacher of "raw" forms of arts.
2008–present: personal Life
Eastlandah David has had numerous run ins with various entities in his life. His personal life is as colorful and complicated as has been his few years around. From reports that he got a child via surrogacy to others that he is an artist of the wild taking advantage of the ignorant, he seems to elicit mixed reactions upon mention of his name. In 2006, it is known Eastlandah was in a relationship with an unknown woman. He was also at some point engaged to Carol, with whom the break-up largely resulted in a meltdown. It was through this period that he deteriorated, from a sober mind to an alcoholic who relied on alcohol to work. It is understood that the break-up resulted in his quitting live performances as this was the last time he was seen performing on stage and has since stopped his performances. Eastlandah also dated Josephine, a camera lady, and though never substantiated, he is said to have been in a relationship with Carol Kinuthia. At the moment, it is said his first child was conceived of a surrogate mother. He is on record as to having said he is contemplating joining servant-hood and dedicating his life to service and philanthropy. In an live interview, he admitted his relationships have left him broken and hurt and he was in no shape to ever love a woman the way he's loved those who loved him then.
Eastlandah was known for his abrasive approach to work, often appearing in hoods and jeans at Nation Media Group, and unapologetically telling off his seniors. He however resigned from N.M.G. following an unknown scandal and eventually retired at a young age from media. At the time of quitting, he was working on IPTV. He was declared bankrupt after this, but also had a show in with the law when tax returns showed he'd not substantiated his income. It is not known whether he did a prison term but he dropped off the radar for the better part of 2010.
After winning the Adeste award, it was rumoured that he was gay, after comments attributed to him in public in support of gay individuals. He has however clarified saying he meant every human being deserves his entitled rights, but never denied or confirmed being gay personally. It is not known whether he is religious but he has Rastafarian credentials, often seen visiting their sanctuaries.
As of 2011, Eastlandah is said to make his home in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi-Kenya-between which he divides time.
Poetry and writing
Poetry and themes
Eastlandah David considers himself an underground poet, and never does commercial poetry, save for performances. Known as the "people's poet", his works border on the illicit ends of rhyme and love conjured on streets, and his themes resonate soundly with street life. He has been described as the "inside voice" due to his ability to write from "within" the limit circle, of which one has to be in to bring out so eloquently. He justifies love but chastises and criticises it, social critique is his main forte, but does well with love, violence and madness in equal measures. He began writing at the age of 10 and has done so consistently, save for the few disruptions, when he's been forced to stop out of love.
Though he stopped live performances, he did an epic five-nation tour in 2009, to raise credibility level after being challenged by fellow poet Rodney Kiaka to sound response and overwhelming public support. The tour saw him perform in Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kampala, Maputo and Rwanda.
He is an entrant into the international library of poets hall of fame, as well as a syndicate poet for various organizations.
Word has it that a film based on his life is being shot at unknown locations as of 2011, and will be released early 2012.
Influences
Eastlandah cites Maya Angelou as his main influence. He also notes Bishop, Malcolm X, William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Richard Lovelace, Robert Herrick[disambiguation needed], Edmund Waller, Thomas Carew, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Keats as some of the major factors in his choice of poesy.
Philanthropy
Eastlandah created the Youth Hall of Fame to help in recognising youth enterprises and efforts. He has performed in poetry concerts to raise funds for both charities and the foundations he is a member of, and launched the Eastlandah Fund, as an endowment to help fund viable online start-ups with a promising future, run by young people. In 2009, Eastlandah initiated the "sanitary towels per term" project to help keep girls in schools, through provision of sanitary towels to at least last each individual a term.
A women's rights activist, Eastlandah plans to launch V-MEN in Kenya to bring together men in the fight against what he terms, "Vaginal violence". His personal "need a hand-here" project will see the first group of bright but needy students graduate from high school.
References
- "Eastlandah Honored"
- Nation Media group's employee
- "The Youth Hall Of Fame" 2008-02-11
- Official website
- "Official poetry page"