Who is Holy Jay? Give us a brief about yourself.

Before I became Holy Jay, I was a young, ambitious boy named Pharis Wachira. I grew up in Gilgil Constituency, Nakuru County and attended Naivasha Boys Boarding School, Menengai High School and later Machakos University. I am currently the CEO of Royalty Gang Entertainment and News (RGEN), an entertainment and news-based startup company.

What did you study in university/college?

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and Trade.

Favourite/least favourite unit while on campus?

I wouldn’t say I had a favourite and least favourite unit. However, I disliked units that had complex mathematics, because they were never really my cup of tea. On the other hand, I enjoyed practical units the most as they were more engaging and suited my strengths.

Best and least favourite lecture?

Dr Muange was my favourite lecturer. Every semester, he taught at least one of our units and his lectures were always engaging and insightful. On the other hand, my least favourite experience involved a lecturer who left for further studies abroad without recording my marks. Since he was untraceable for sometime, I was forced to sit a supplementary exam.

How was campus life generally?

It was an eye opening experience. As someone who had big ambitions especially in the entertainment industry from a young age, campus gave me the freedom to explore more than just academics. I could move freely, build meaningful networks, make mistakes, learn valuable lessons and unlearn old ways of thinking. I would say campus life played a huge role in shaping the person I am today.

How did you make money while on campus?

During my first and second years on campus, there was a local bakery that sold rejected bread at a cheaper price. The bread was still fresh but only had minor defects such as being slightly burnt. I would buy a crate in the morning and resell the loaves in the university hostels. At one point, I also made money by buying and selling second hand phones among fellow students.

After my second year, I shifted to digital opportunities, taking up influencer gigs and working as a social media manager. These experiences not only helped me earn an income but also sharpened my entrepreneurial and marketing skills.

How was dating on campus?

Campus dating is a mix of emotions and I had my share of experiences. I watched many of my friends build successful relationships but for the better part of my campus life, things didn’t quite work out the same way for me.

What do you think of campus relationships?

I believe campus relationships have become the foundation of many happy marriages today and that is a positive thing. However, it’s important for students to be mindful of their choices and actions. As the saying goes, “You cannot control a comrade but you can advise them”.

What did you do with your free time?

Whenever I had free time, I would sometimes take solo walks to clear my mind or simply relax. Occasionally, I would just hang out with friends, although this didn’t happen very often.

How did you get into TikTok content creation and what inspired you?

My content creation journey began long before TikTok. From a young age, I was always curious about what happened behind the scenes in television and radio stations.

As I grew older, I developed a deep passion for the media industry. When digital platforms started gaining popularity, I saw an opportunity and took it by creating content on TikTok, YouTube and Facebook. That marked the beginning of my journey as a content creator.

How do you come up with ideas for your videos and what does your creative process look like?

First, I make a deliberate effort to stay informed about what’s happening around me because current events form the foundation of my content.

I then identify the most relevant stories and conduct further research to understand them better.

After that comes the production stage, where I record my content.

The final step is editing, which is the most time-consuming part of the entire process, but it’s also where the content comes together.

What has been your biggest challenge as a content creator in Kenya, and how have you overcome it?

There was a time when I was arrested over alleged defamation. That experience taught me the importance of understanding the law as a content creator.

Since then, I have made it a priority to ensure I have proper legal guidance and to be more careful with the words I use in my content.

As the content creation industry continues to grow rapidly, I believe there is a need for clear laws and regulations that not only promote accountability but also protect the rights of content creators.

This would help prevent situations where creators are unfairly treated or harassed while carrying out their work.

If you could collaborate with any Kenyan or international creator, who would it be and why?

There are many creators I would love to collaborate with because everyone brings something unique to their craft.

In Kenya, I would choose Obinna because I admire the energy, creativity, and experience he brings to his work. Internationally, I would love to work with IShowSpeed. His energy is unmatched and I would love to tap into some of that enthusiasm and creativity.

Where do you see yourself in the next three to five years?

I see myself running a fully-fledged online media house with clear systems and structures that drives conversations across the region, if not globally.

What advice would you give to young content creators?

Content creation is just like any other profession. It is demanding and requires consistency, discipline and hard work. Nothing comes easy, so be prepared to put in the effort, keep learning and stay patient.

What would you tell your campus self if you had the chance?

Pray, stay focused and stick to the plan, brother, no matter what.