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@njerimainar

I walk into Nyama Mama five minutes late. I find Ledama and Lesiamon Sempele already seated, having arrived a full quarter hour before me. We are always early, they say.

I sincerely apologise before we delve into the meeting. The brothers may look strikingly handsome and alike, but the similarities do not end there. They are both hardworking and driven people.

They also both work in creative fields, with one being a film producer and the other a chef.

Early start in art

 “I have always looked up to my big brother. Growing up, he would come home from school with cool stuff such as basketball cards.

He was also artsy. I really loved to watch his various drawings and caricatures,” Lesiamon explains. 

A respected chef in his own right, one is awed by the undertone of love and respect as he talks of his big brother.

He shares how his brother was an entrepreneur from an early age and how he bought his first watch while in Class Two.

This inspired the younger brother to be equally enterprising. He would later take a short hospitality course at Utalii College then immerse himself in the world of baking and pastries.

He became the guy who made cakes for events such as tea parties, birthdays, as well as weddings.

Out of this, he was conformtable making a decent living and was okay with it.

It was his big brother who pushed him to go back to school and take a culinary course as he wanted him to be his best self.

“He pushes me to be better. He is the reason I went back to culinary school and, therefore, got the chance to work in five-star hotels in Kenya and at a cruise ship for a year.

He did not want me to just be a baker. He wanted me to be a baker and more. Ledama is not okay with me simply doing just fine.

He wants me at my best and that for me is the truest definition of brotherhood and friendship,” chef Lesiamon says.

Ledama laughs and explains how he feels the need to share his experience and knowledge with others in order to empower them.

He talks of how his mind is analytical and how this has served him well not just in giving advice to his younger brother, but also in production.

He will sift through all available data, project it into both the past and future, mull on it before coming to a decision.

“I always wanted to join the army. I had an uncle who was in the army. I think that is why I first fell in love with the army.

I think I would have made a great army officer; I love analysing everything and are quite good at laying down structures and having people keep to the structures.

This is pretty much what production, coming up with schedules and having people follow them is all about,” he explains with a small laugh.

Work hard and play hard

But the best things come through hard work, perseverance and determination. Ledama shares how his journey into the film industry started off as a set runner on Makutano Junction, a local television show.

He would apply himself and deliver so well such that he was moved to be the third assistant director in the next season. Hard work never goes unnoticed, he believes.

He would get bumped up again to be assistant art director. After about a year, he would become the first assistant director, a coveted role he had aspired for while he was starting out.

“I think there is a lot that goes on in the production of films and adverts that audiences are not privy to.

I feel humbled to do what I do and are really passionate about it. Being on set on various locations across East Africa might look glamorous, but there is a lot of hard work and planning that goes into it.

You have to commit to a client’s vision and go over and beyond to ensure you deliver, even if it means starting the shoot in the wee hours of the morning and finishing up late at night.

You have to be passionate about what you do to stick with it,” Ledama emotively explains.

The brothers agree on the importance of hard work and commitment. They share about their shared love for health and fitness.

They workout frequently as their demanding jobs require them to be in tip top shape. You have to be fairly fit to spend hours on your feet.

Ledama laughingly shares about the one time he beat his younger brother at a 10 kilometre race.

“I will never leave this down will I? I guess we will have to race again soon. See what I mean when I say he wants me to be my best always,” Lesiamon laughingly says.

“Make it next week,” Ledama says in a rejoinder. I cannot wait to learn who wins.