In Nakuru’s vibrant entertainment scene, four young men have defied the odds and turned their passion for dance into a profession, carving out a space for themselves.

Isaiah Joseph (aka Iconic Joe), Kevin Mariga (Richie), Stalon Kimani (Swiga Blazer), and Markos Khamala (Markos T) form lit dance group currently performing at Wave XO.

“We met in 2023. We had the same goal—to make something serious out of dance. That’s when we decided to form the group,” recalls Joseph.

Before coming together, each member was dancing solo, trying to build their own brand. “Everyone was doing solo dancing,” Mariga explains. “We were all grinding on our own until we realized we were stronger together.”

Initially, the crew had eight members, but not everyone stuck around. “Some were in school, others were just passing time,” says Kimani. “Eventually, only two of us remained. Then two more joined—and now, we're mentoring three new dancers—two ladies and one guy.”

Their journey began on the streets—literally. “We started with roadshows and concerts,” says Khamala. “For six months, we performed wherever we could. That’s how we got spotted by a club, and later, Wave XO Management. They believed in us.”

Isaiah vividly remembers that turning point. “At first, we didn’t even have uniforms—we just wanted to see if people would like us. But after Wave XO approached us, we knew this was a serious opportunity. We started getting tips, got our uniforms sorted, and finally had a platform.”

The hustle wasn’t always smooth. “When starting out, the pay was inconsistent. Sometimes we performed once a week, sometimes every two weeks,” Kelvin admits.

But the inconsistency came with valuable lessons. “Never give up, and always show up. Even when it was slow, we stayed faithful. We prayed before and after every show, which we still do,” says Stalon.

So, what did it feel like to land a steady performing gig? “It was like a dream come true. We had prayed for this,” says Markos. “I remember so many dancers were looking for work when Wave XO opened, but we were the only ones given a chance. We’re always grateful.”

When asked about their most memorable moments, Isaiah smiles and says, “Every time we’re on stage, at least six people come to tell us we’re doing a great job. That keeps us going.”

The group works from Wednesday to Saturday and spends their off days—Monday and Tuesday—training at 5:30 am 8.30 am and 4 pm to 6pm.

But dance isn’t their only ambition. “We’re also content creators and influencers. In five years, we want to nurture new talent. That’s why we started an academy,” says Stalon.

Despite their progress, the road hasn’t been free of obstacles. “There’s jealousy, people talking bad about you. But you don’t deal with that—you just work hard, mind your own business, and trust God,” Isaiah shares.

When asked whether dance now sustains their lives, all four break into smiles. “Yes. It pays rent, buys our clothes, and feeds us. We’re just grateful for the opportunity Wave XO gave us,” Stalon concludes.

The rise of four Nakuru dancers who turned passion into career

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Muthoni Wanjiku