Funny Ways Kenyans became Famous
By: nelvin Polvin Nelvin
Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2022
In Kenya, gaining a celebrity status is not hard. You could be taking your clothes to mama fua and your caretaker takes a video of you, you could be walking in town with a torn trouser, or you could be jamming to a song you like. Once shared online, if the clip goes viral, overnight you are labelled a celebrity.
It is shocking how people we often overlook, shoot to fame overnight and they become signatures on memes, spreading on social media like the aroma of well-cooked pilau.
From such huge digital and mainstream media attention, some Kenyans have been approached by several brands. Below are a few who we have seen over the decade.
Githeri man
Election period in Kenya has a lot of drama. On August 8, 2017, a man of little means queued to cast his votes. He was well equipped, early in the cold morning, lunch at hand which constituted of githeri in a polythene bag, ready to exercise his right as a citizen of Kenya. Occasionally, like any other voter in a long queue, he would stretch his neck to check how far he was from the voting station.
In the same environment was a curious Kenyan paparazzi in the making, armed with his digital device.He took a photo of Martin Kimotho, who would later be named as Githeri Man.
It became a moment of fame for Githeri man as word got out about him and Kenyans shared his photo on memes until he became a national hero. It was argued that he broke the tension that existed during the election period.
The excessive media attention made Githeri man receive Head of State Commendation honors the same year, something that led to mixed reactions online. Nevertheless, that is among 13 reasons why you should queue with githeri during an election period, and maybe you can become the new celebrity on the block.
Ugali man
If you have the arresting skills of eating ugali in Charles Odongo’s fashion, you could become a household name.
Again, can you call your cat “Puss Puss” as you throw ugali in the air, catch it in mid air, and eat it? Charles Odongo, the now Odibets ambassador, went viral after a video of him entertained Kenyans during his meal time. The video showed his glorious eating techniques, and within no time, he was the talk of town.
The Rongai-based gym instructor also received a brand new seven-seater Voxy van, a fully-kitted gym and a cash boost to support his fitness business. His partnership with Odibets also includes a package for his cat, "Puss Puss". His fame is still on, as he is still an ambassador for odibets.
Jack ‘Password’ Oluoch
Now, this is the latest, and perhaps the most rib-cracking way a Kenyan turned celebrity.
Jack Omondi Oluoch, a resident of Homabay, the 20th century way of how things were operating during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) primaries was not adding up.
He wondered why, even with improved technologies, the simple process would take long. While necessary resources took a long time to reach the station, he was also told that he could note vote because the ‘password’ had not arrived.
And so during a vox pop, one that he stood behind the interviewee, he kept interjecting with the phrase 'password,’ one that shot him to fame. He has been trending online, and has earned the same name in his village.
Other people who have gained fame in funny ways are Michael Gitonga alias ‘Uhunye Wa Umo’ who became an internet sensation for being a look alike (a doppelganger) of President Uhuru Kenyatta, Musician Stevo Simple Boy and, Mitumba man, and Azziad Nasenya.
While some of these celebrities lose their status immediately they are used by the brands, some of them like Azziad ,Stevo Simple Boy ,and Ugali man are still reigning their kingdoms.
Article by: Brian Khavalaji
