“In a place where you are not known, you will be judged by your appearance,” says Jim Gatani, a model based in Nakuru.

The IT graduate from Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) is a self-groomed model who has been in the business for five years.

Other than being a commercial model, he is also a podcast host, an actor, a playwriter and a model trainer.

Mr Gatani has taken part in a number of pageantry competitions including, Mr Campuses, Mr & Miss Love and Mr Face of Nakuru.

He was the 2022 Mr Man Hunt Kenya, after participating in the Mr & Miss Face of Nakuru 2022.

In 2022, he took a different trajectory with his modelling career and started doing commercial modelling.

“I have worked with brands like Denri Africa, Samara Sports and MG Kenya among other brands,” says Gatani.

Jim Gatani (in red suit) at Kitenge fest where he was nominated for Male model of the year award.

Photo credit: COURTESY

The young model also participated in the just concluded sixth edition of the high-end fashion event, Kitenge Festival which was held in Eldoret on April 29, 2023, where he was the runner-up.

So how did he get into modelling?

The 23-year-old says that it all started in high school when he participated in a pageant and won.

When he joined Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) in 2018, Mr Gatani decided to vie for Mr RVIST in 2019.

He, however, notes that he was not in his best element to take the runway as he weighed 85kgs at the time.

“I had to get in shape to participate in the Mr and Miss RVIST contest. I joined rugby and started working out to cut some weight. It took me around nine months to get fit and participate in the contest where I became the second runner-up,” he recalls.

Mr Gatani is encouraging creatives to exploit the power of social media as this is where he has gotten most of his modelling deals and promoted his content.

“Position your brand so that people can notice you. Groom well at all times, and don't only show up all sharp on runaways and neglect your look on other days. It’s not about expensive outfits but dressing in a stylish way. You can always create an outstanding look on a budget,” he adds.

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Camera, lights, action: the making of Jim Gatani’s modelling career

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