Eric’s journey began long before anyone recognised his name. For 13 years, he dedicated himself to hairdressing, refining his craft until his chair became a place where stories, ideas, and connections flowed as freely as the music playing in his African Royalty salon.
He has served some of the continent’s biggest stars Burna Boy, Skales, Otile Brown, Ali Kiba along with political leaders such as former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and the current governor, Abdulswamad Shariff.
His salon transformed from a simple grooming space into an unexpected meeting point for culture, influence and opportunity.
So when people ask how he switched from hairdressing to music promotions, Eric simply laughs. “There was no real switch. Hair, art, and music are connected,” he says. “I just converted my salon network into the entertainment scene.”
The idea for OneWash Promotions grew naturally from the relationships he had cultivated over the years. Having direct access to both artists and event organisers, he realized he was in a perfect position to bridge the two worlds.
His defining moment came when Barry, a club entrepreneur, offered him his first official job. Eric had already been booking artistes informally for B Club events, but Barry encouraged him to formalise it into a business. That was the push he needed.
As soon as his brand took shape, he grew it into a full-service agency that handles bookings, tour management, artiste relations, PR, media runs, and music marketing; a one-stop bridge between talent and opportunity.
His major breakthrough under the OneWash umbrella was Ruger’s show in South Sudan.
As the booking agent, he found himself coordinating everything from talent logistics to equipment sourcing. ”The turnout was overwhelming, the energy unmatched, and despite the challenge of transporting sound and stage systems all the way from Nairobi, the event became one of my most memorable successes,” he says.
To Eric, being a good promoter demands much more than making calls. ”It is about honesty, transparency, and maintaining professional relationships on all sides. It requires direct contact with artistes as well as strong ties with club owners, promoters, and event planners. Above everything, it demands social capital that is earned through years of consistency, respect, and genuine connection,” he reveals.
Yet, even with such networks, the industry can be ruthless. “The hardest bit is the cartels,” he says.
Some people know he has direct links to artistes, but they choose to bypass him, preferring alternative channels. At times, securing his booking commission becomes a struggle, and cancellations can derail months of preparation. Still, he remains undeterred, moving forward with resilience.
Over the years, he has mentored stylists capable of stepping in when he is away, allowing him to juggle both businesses smoothly.
His days are split between managing clients in the salon and keeping tabs on new music releases, pitching artists to event planners and coordinating upcoming shows.
Looking ahead, his vision stretches far beyond the present. He plans to franchise his Onewash promotions brand and eventually transition into full-scale event curation.
He dreams of not only booking artists but crafting entire events from concept to execution. “Kenya is one of the best-paying markets for artistes,” he says.
He believes Kenya must invest in modern event equipment, stronger security structures, and efficient ticketing systems to match international standards.
“With proper government support, especially through the construction of modern event venues, I am confident the entertainment sector could become one of the country’s biggest revenue earners.”
Through the years, Eric has worked with A-list artistes from across the world.
“I have dealt with Jamaicans like Konshens, Queen iFrica and recently I met up with dancehall sensation Shensea. With all these connections, I hope to utilise them and create a mountain from an anthill. I build it through trust and proper execution.”