When 28-year-old barber and gospel singer Jose Jay walked onto the stage at Charter Hall on Sunday night, it was with a familiar mix of nerves and hope.
He had chased this dream before, losing out each time. But on this night, under the bright stage lights, his persistence finally paid off.
The Donholm-based barber was crowned the inaugural winner of Next Superstar Kenya, walking away with KSh 1 million and a trophy he clutched tightly, his eyes brimming with disbelief.
“I’ve been in so many competitions before, but I never made it to number one,” he said. “This time, I told myself to try once more, and I’m grateful it worked out.”
Jose beat five other finalists in a glittering finale that featured live performances and a judging panel of rapper King Kaka, gospel star Size 8, and producer Motif Di Don.
Rennic came second, winning a motorbike, while Jambia finished third with jewellery worth KSh 150,000.
“The talent we saw was incredible,” King Kaka told the crowd. “If given the right platforms, Kenyan youth can compete anywhere in the world.”
Size 8, who mentored contestants during the academy phase, called Jose’s victory a lesson in resilience. “These young people poured their hearts out every week. To see Jose crowned after trying so many times shows what persistence can do.”
But the night wasn’t just about Jose’s triumph, it carried a bigger announcement. Next Superstar Kenya will now run every year for the next decade, creating a consistent stage for young talent.
“This is not a one-off,” said Startimes CEO Jimmy Carter Luoh. “We are creating a consistent platform for young people to showcase and grow their talent.”
The announcement comes at a time when Kenya’s youth face daunting odds. Each year, more than 800,000 young Kenyans join the job market, yet only about 10 percent secure formal employment. With unemployment estimated at 67 percent, many are turning to the informal and creative sectors to survive.
Collins Okoth, Director of Strategy and Planning at the Kenya Film Commission, said competitions like this could be game-changing.
“Over 70 percent of our creative industry actors are young people,” he explained. “When you have a platform that runs for 10 years, it doesn’t just help singers. It creates jobs for sound engineers, set designers, trainers, camera crews and so many others.”
For Jose, who juggles running a small barbershop with chasing auditions, the win is more than a trophy. Thieves recently cleared out his shop, leaving him with nothing, but he now sees a fresh start.
“I still love my barbershop. I want to restock it. I also want to record music and collaborate with other artists. This is my chance,” he said.
Fans in the audience echoed his excitement. “We’ve missed big shows since Tusker Project Fame ended,” said Caroline Wachuka. “Now young people finally have something to look forward to every year.”
While the creative economy contributes an estimated 5 percent of Kenya’s GDP, government spending on the sector remains below 1 percent of the national budget. Many young artists struggle to access finance, equipment and training.
Okoth revealed that a national creative fund is in the works to support young talent. “But partnerships with the private sector will remain key if we are to truly unlock this industry,” he said.
The night belonged to Jose Jay, the barber who turned superstar. His win, more than just a personal victory but a perfect definition of one more try is all it takes.