Citizen TV’s JKLive, on Wednesday evening, elicited anger from viewers who watched as one of his guests, Wendy Waeni who is a renowned gymnast, narrated how she had been exploited by her former manager, Joe Mwangi.
Waeni painfully recalled how her ability had taken her around the world, performing for global leaders like presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), John Mahama (Ghana Rtd), as well as Chancellor of Germany, Angela Markel, but was still condemned to a life of struggle, after the said manager did not share proceeds from her shows.
The 14-year-old was raised by her single mother, who noticed her unique ability, but the business aspects of her talent were being handled by Joe.
“I have been performing all over the world Jeff. I know you know that. Right now, I live in Huruma because of Joe Mwangi. Jeff to be sincere with you, I’ve been performing all over like Rwanda, Germany, China and I haven’t got a single penny. My mom is really suffering now as we talk. I know she’s working right now, she sells sweets. I live in a single room in Huruma now Jeff,” she spoke.
“Your mother sells sweets and cigarettes at night?” Jeff asked in disbelief.
Wendy also accused Joe of misusing her social media accounts, to engage in public spats, which made people think she was behind the controversial remarks.
“People are telling me I’m rude. People are telling me I’m a brat because I post things on Instagram which I don’t know about Jeff. I don’t have access to my social media accounts. Its Joe Mwangi who controls them,” she protested.
Principal Prosecution Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), Duncan Ondimu, who was watching the show was shocked by the revelations.
“This is so criminal of Joe Mwangi. So sad what he has done to the little girl. He ought to pay heavily for what he has done,” he commented.
“I hope she and her mum file an official police complaint. I’m sure the DCI would gladly investigate. He should be aware of Section 268, 313 of the Penal Code,” Ondimu added.
The said ex-talent manager, after following the proceedings, reached out to the prosecutor via a tweet. “Sir, this is Joe Mwangi, I would like to get in touch with you urgently concerning that issue that has been raised on JKL,” he posted.
Ondimu then commented that he was open to hearing both sides the story and hoped for the best outcome.
The girl later stated that she had forgiven her ex-manager and pleaded with him to handover her social media accounts.
Kenyans, however, insisted for the arrest of the talent manager, through a Twitter hashtag #ArrestJoeMwangi.
Leave a Reply