The person you’re calling cannot be reached; if you wish to leave a voice message, then please do so after the tone.
If you have been using telecommunications giant in Kenya, Safaricom, to communicate, you must have come across this automated voice.
Many might assume that the voice is AI-generated, but that’s not the case. This memorable phrase has been in existence for over a decade, and during this period, AI was not functional in Kenya.
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Now, that simply means this is a human voice, specifically a lady. In this segment, Times Digital Kenya unveils the voice-over artist who is behind the automatic message used by Safaricom when a user has switched off his or her phone number.
Who is Safaricom’s voice artist behind the voice? ‘The person you’re calling cannot be reached…’
This happens to be Jennifer Eniye Kanari, an international voice-over artist who lives in Kenya. This talented, seasoned voice-over artist kicked off her career in 2001 (over 23 years ago), where she coached voice artists and championed voice communication in society.
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She first brought the automated standard message to life 15 years ago, in 2009, in collaboration with Safaricom. This is among the few interactive voice responses (IVRs) that Safaricom has been using to interact with its users for many years now.
Besides working with the leading telecommunications company in Kenya, Kanari has also partnered with big companies, including UNICEF, The Forgotten City (a video game), Bidco Kenya, USAID, Mastercard, and Unilever, just to name a few.
This evidently indicates that Jeniffer Kanari is recognized not only in Kenya but also at the international level thanks to her dedication as a premium voice-over artist.
“Your voice is the second involuntary introduction to yourself after your appearance. It pays to invest in it.
Jeniffer Kanari
What you say and how you say it can undo what people see and interact with you, or establish it.”
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You can learn more about her through her website, address Jenniferkanari.com.
