Depending on how far back you met him, you probably know him as King Kaka, or Kaka Sunguch. A couple of days ago, at Replay NBO, this Kenya’s lyrical heavyweight traded his microphone for a spatula with the launch of ‘Let Him Cook’ in a move that places him in unfamiliar territory: vulnerable, learning, and refreshingly human.
Premise
The show’s premise. Watching a celebrated lyricist fumble through knife skills and timing- and tapping into something uniquely humanising about celebrity culture. Literally, letting him cook.
For those, like King Kaka, grounded in hip-hop vernacular, this expression typically means allowing someone the space to express themselves fully, and excel or learn. King Kaka has taken this metaphor and made it concrete, creating a show where the audience literally watches him cook, both succeeding and failing in real-time. The celebrity cooking show format isn’t new, but King Kaka’s execution shows clear awareness of what has worked internationally. When Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg paired up for VH1’s ‘Potluck Dinner Party’ (2016-2020), their magic wasn’t in perfect recipes but in role subversion. Watching Snoop nurture Martha through his OG Fried Chicken while cracking cannabis jokes created a playful subversion of roles, with Martha as the edgy one and Snoop as the nurturing presence—media gold, if you ask me.
King Kaka’s approach mirrors this strategy while adapting it for the Kenyan context. Instead of pairing disparate celebrities, he’s creating the tension within himself, the serious artist learning to be playful, the polished performer embracing imperfection. Strategic Brand Alignment and Cultural Capital
The partnership structure behind ‘Let Him Cook’ reveals sophisticated brand positioning. Bio Food Products Ltd, Highlands Drinks Limited, and Ma Cuisine Limited aren’t just sponsors; they represent a carefully curated ecosystem of local excellence. Bio Foods’ 30-year heritage and B Corp certification, Highlands’ 70-year legacy since 1954, and Ma Cuisine’s artisanal positioning create a narrative about quality, sustainability, and local pride that extends far beyond product placement.
Waithera Ng’ang’a’ puts it best when she says,
This partnership with King Kaka speaks to more than just brand alignment — it’s about authenticity, purpose, and celebrating local excellence. King Kaka’s values, influence, and ability to connect with real people make him the perfect voice for a show that champions bold, honest conversations around food and identity.”
In an industry where artists struggle with long-term sustainability, diversification becomes essential. By maintaining his storytelling abilities while exploring new audience segments, he’s creating a model for career longevity that will create multiple touchpoints with his audience. The show’s format, combining cooking with confessionals and cultural commentary, creates space for discussions that extend beyond food.
The Risk and the Reward
Every celebrity who ventures outside their established expertise risks diluting their brand, but never King Kaka. An artist who has constantly rebranded himself, even to the point of changing his name. His gamble? That his audience will follow him into this new territory, trusting that his personality and authenticity will make the journey worthwhile. In taking the risk, King Kaka has already achieved something significant: he’s shown that Kenyan entertainers can successfully expand their narratives, and that audiences are hungry for content that reflects their own complexity and humanity.
In an industry often obsessed with maintaining image, ‘Let Him Cook’ suggests that maybe the most radical thing a celebrity can do is admit they’re still learning—and invite everyone to watch.
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