Jaguar (musician)

Charles Njagua Kanyi, better known by his stage name Jaguar, is a Kenyan politician, singer and philanthropist.

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

Early life and education

Kanyi went to Magutu Primary School and later joined Senior Chief Koinange Secondary School where he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination (KCSE).[1]

Music career

Jaguar released his first single "Utaweza Kweli" with the record label the Mandugu Digitali in 2004. He joined Ogopa Deejays, an East African music production team, in 2005.[2] With Ogopa Deejays, he released several singles, including his most popular single "kigeugeu". In 2013 Jaguar began recording with Main Switch Studios,[3] founded by one of Jaguar's long serving record producers Philip Makanda,[4] formerly from Ogopa Deejays.[2]

He has since recorded several singles including "Kipepeo", "Kioo" and "One centimeter", an African collaboration featuring popular Nigerian recording artist, Iyanya. He has also featured the popular South African duo Mafikizolo in his single titled "Going Nowhere".

Political career

In 2015, Kanyi was elected as the director of National Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse where he served for two years.[5][6][7] He also became a member of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare.[8]

On 9 August 2017, Kanyi was elected to serve the constituency of Starehe in Nairobi for the Jubilee Party after out numbering Steve Mbogo in votes, Boniface Mwangi and Mwaniki Kwenya. Jaguar previously outnumbered the incumbent Member by votes of Parliament, Starehe Maina Kamanda, in a nomination race for the Jubilee Party ticket in April 2017.

On 24 January 2022, Kanyi joined the United Democratic Alliance[9] in a bid to defend his parliamentary sit for Starehe constituency.

References
  1. "Hon. Njagua, Charles Kanyi | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  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. "Hon. Njagua, Charles Kanyi | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  6. Okoth, Brian. "President Uhuru Kenyatta appoints singer Jaguar as NACADA board member - Entertainment News". Standard Digital News. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  7. "The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse - HOME". www.nacada.go.ke. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  8. "Hon. Njagua, Charles Kanyi | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  9. "Jaguar Joins Ruto's UDA".
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