Entertainment

Kenya Films Classification Board CEO Ezekiel Mutua reprimanded comedian Eric Omondi over a video he termed as 'controversial with negative effects' on teenage viewers. 

Omondi shared the video on his Instagram page on Wednesday, November 25, as a marketing strategy. 

"You find artists such as Eric Omondi recording themselves in compromising postures and then he claims to be the African President for Comedy. 

"Respect yourself and the kids. Put a disclaimer on your videos and let everyone know it is for the adults. We are not here to protect adults but kids. We do not want to lose control," Mutua ranted as KFCB unveiled new measures to protect children from lewd content. 

KFCB CEO Ezekiel Mutua (right) addresses journalists on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, in Mombasa

Ezekiel Mutua / Instagram

Omondi responded through his Instagram page, accusing Mutua of using his name to gain cheap publicity. He also alleged that the KFCB was not assisting nor promoting the entertainment industry. 

"I have never understood exactly what you do for a living. Please visit Eric Omondi Studios and see what we are about to do to help young and upcoming talents," Omondi defended.

KFCB accused parents of not being vigilant about what children access online.  

Mutua also raised alarm over the rate at which teenagers are engaging in vices such as consumption of alcohol, drug abuse and engagement in orgies, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, oblivious of the dangers this poses to them and their loved ones. 

KCFB said that it will take legal action against advertising companies that are exposing children to inappropriate content during the watershed period. 

Video dens admitting minors will also be shut down, their license withdrawn and the owners prosecuted. Legal action will be taken against online content distributors exposing children to adult content. KFCB will work with the Cybercrimes unit and Google to pull down such content. 

The DCI was also roped in to arrest and prosecute adults found facilitating minors to engage in immoral activities. The NTSA was also asked to impound PSVs exhibiting unrated content. 

“Protecting children against exposure to premature adult experiences is a collective responsibility. As responsible adults, we owe our children a duty of care to create safe spaces for their growth. Parents, caregivers and guardians must concern themselves with the content that their children consume as well as their whereabouts at all times,” Mutua stated. 

Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters along Kiambu Road

Simon Kiragu

Kenyans.co.ke

Churchill show comedian David Kangogo popularly known as David the Student was racially abused in the US, in an incident that was reported by the US media. 

The artist relocated to the US a few years ago where he has been working as a cab driver. In a video that was posted online on Friday, November 20, David faced off with a wild passenger who racially attacked him. 

David disclosed that he picked a couple outside a sports grill and asked them to put on their face masks to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

However, the man took off his mask upon boarding the taxi. David's again urged the passenger to have his face mask on which caused the passenger to become rowdy.

David the Student performing at a past Churchill Show event

File

The former comedian pulled up the car to handle the issue but the passenger insisted on alighting and even threatened to pee inside the car. 

"For me, all I thought about was recording the incident. I was scared that we would punch me or get aggressive," David said later in an interview with KOMO News. 

The video went viral and the passenger was banned from using the cab by the agency, Lyft.

KOMO News also reported that the passenger has been fired from his place of employment.   

Local area police stated that they were aware of the incident but could not take action unless the comedian files a suit.

However, David said that he was not interested in initiating a legal process and that all he wanted was to move on. 

"Thank you guys for the support. The cab agency has been supportive like the Mayor of the City too. We all can do and be better!" he tweeted. 

In June 2020, Kenyans and the whole world joined hands in condemning an incident where an African American, George Floyd, died in the hands of police officers during an arrest. 

Floyd was pinned to the ground on his neck by the law enforcers who were accused of strangling him. 

Watch David the Student's interview/Courtesy 

Churchill show comedian Edwin 'Eddie' Butita has sued a global e-commerce platform that used his name to market their products. 

His lawyers detailed that they had filed a suit at a commercial court in Nairobi, a month after serving the firm with a demand letter. 

Butita wants Ksh 10 million compensation arguing that the brand used his naming and image rights to sell their products without consulting him. 

"We are going to court. Currently, we are processing court documents which we will be serving the firm in the next 10 to 14 days. 

Comedians Eddie Butita and Mamito Eunice in an Instagram photo posted in November 2020

Instagram

"We are seeking compensation for commercialisation of our client’s online brand to market their Black Friday sales without paying for it. We are basically seeking damages for our client that could go up to Ksh10 million,” his lawyers stated while speaking to a local daily. 

The comedian's legal team added that they were infuriated by the response of the firm to their demand letter. The global company reportedly argued that the comedian's brand name is not a trademark that warrants compensation. 

They want the firm to be compelled to produce their sales record during the said period upon which they will use it to demand the compensation fee. 

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, October 27, Butita explained that he sought legal action as he had not authorised the company to use his name or image in their social media campaign. 

"This has never happened to me before and we are yet to settle on a resolution after my legal team got in contact with them,"  he stated.

Digital content expert Brian Muuo explained that the rates paid to influencers depend on the value of the following and engagement from posts published on social media platforms.

He added that pricing for influencers was determined by key metrics including followers, subscribers, views on videos, user engagement, and user feedback.

Churchill Comedian Eddie Butita

Instagram

Renowned comedian Eric Omondi launched an exclusive studio in Lavington, Nairobi, a part of his legacy and investment in the creative industry. 

The self-dubbed President of Comedy hosted a star-studded event in Nairobi, on Tuesday night, November 17, where he celebrated his lifetime achievement. 

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the artist disclosed that the studio under the umbrella Big Tyme Entertainment, will be used, not only to market his work but also to promote veteran and upcoming artist. 

It is also part of his plan to cement Kenya's creative industry in the world. 

Eric Omondi speaks at the launch of his production house in Lavington, Nairobi on Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Instagram

"I am targetting new blood and also to incorporate the legends who will shoot from this studio and also market their work. Like I said before, I am expanding beyond Kenya and artists in Africa will also be part of this project," he stated.

Through his social media pages, he added that he is blessed to create a space for creatives.

Omondi purchased six vintage classic cars and an aircraft for artists to use in video shoots. The cars will always be parked at a location known as Mama Kayai Park.

The park was named after legendary Vioja Mahakamani actor Mary Khavere (Mama Kayai). 

"God has done it once again but this is just a tip of the iceberg. All my life I dreamt of an opportunity to showcase my craft to the world but my biggest dream has always been to promote others. 

"We have a large video studio named after our legendary founding father Mzee Ojwang (Benson Karira). Mum Mama Kayai was present at the event and launched it herself," Omondi disclosed.

He also named an audio studio after his mentor, Daniel Ndambuki (Churchill). The comedian encouraged artists to seek services of his production company rather than spend a fortune in Nigeria, South Africa and other foreign countries. 

Mama Kayai launches Eric Omondi's Big Tyme Entertainment, a production house in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Instagram

Mzee Ojwang studio located at Eric Omondi's production house in Lavington, Nairobi

Instagram

A vintage car owned by Eric Omondi

Instagram

A vintage car owned by Eric Omondi

Instagram

Kenyan musician Wambui Ngugi has opened up about her struggle with Androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss in both men and women.

Wambui, who is a member of the Elani Afro pop group, spoke about the condition commonly referred to as  Androgenetic hair loss in an episode in her revamped self titled YouTube channel.

The sudden realisation that she was losing her hair came as a shocker for Wambui who had prided herself in having luscious natural hair which had taken nearly 10 years to grow. 

Musician Wambui Ngugi showing off her luscious hair

File

“Three years ago, I started to experience hair loss. I didn’t know it was hair loss. I noticed a crazy loss of density around a particular area of my scalp. People call it the crown, but is commonly referred to as the vertex by trichologists, “ she started.  

After trying a number of fixes and solutions offered on YouTube and different blogs, she met a professional who diagnosed her with Androgenetic hair loss, which startled the musician. 

“For me, I couldn't say it's just hair because a full head of hair affects my confidence,” she explained. 

The hair expert explained that Wambui was genetically dispositioned to experience hair loss at some point in her life and that all she could do was manage and reverse it. 

The hair loss is brought about by Dihydrotestosterone DHT, a hormone in the body which is attracted to the vertex by the genetic disposition causing hair follicles to shrink and reduce the diameter of the hair coming out. 

If left unmanaged, the follicles close, which then leads to a receding hairline and eventually permanent balding. 

For Wambui, she tried to style her hair to cover up the loss, but if she hadn't sought timely professional help, it would have been too late. 

The musician chose one of the three solutions to hair loss which are; temporary, which involves regular medication, a semi-permanent solution, where growth factors are injected into the area experiencing the hair loss which suppresses the DHT hormone and reverses the level of shrinking. The last solution involves removing a strip of scalp from the back of the head and using it to fill in a bald patch. 

Wambui chose to have the growth factors introduced into her scalp other than the two other solutions. 

She has dedicated her channel to educating her followers about the tips of hair care in a way they can relate and share experiences. 

Watch Wambui narrate her story. 

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Popular singer Esther Akoth alias Akothee on Sunday, October 11, opened up about her struggles in the hands of her baby daddy that nearly pushed her to suicide back in 2017.

Akothee was speaking during a Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) conference on the International Day for Girl Child hosted in Kisumu.

Also in attendance was Citizen TV news anchor Lilian Muli among other high profile women guests.

Kenyan singer Akothee.

File

"In 2017 if suicide was a pass, I would have done it. This man decided to turn my life upside down, most baby daddies who create scenes and drama are the ones who have never moved on.

"A child always has one biological father and one biological mother, and nothing can ever change this," stated Akothee during the conference.

The singer urged girls who had attended the conference that pregnancy was the consequence of engaging in sex and they had to face it if it happened.

She went on to encourage girls to be firm and take care of their babies should the father decline to take responsibility.

Back in 2017, Akothee opened up on how his baby daddy who she identified as Markus, pushed her to abort the pregnancy.

"When he came to Kenya the pregnancy was 4 months and already visible, I was so sick that I could not even walk, we went with him to the hospital and he never wanted to be seen with me. So, my friend Nancy admitted me to a hospital as Markus waited in the car.

"When he was asked for his details he said ‘put her mother’s names and phone number’. I was admitted for 3 days, he never visited me in hospital, he only came the last day to pay bills and we left," she said.

After the ordeal, things took a turn for the worst as he started asking her to get rid of the pregnancy. But the singer did not listen to him and decided to carry the pregnancy to term.

Award-winning singer Akothee striking a pose.

Instagram

Former Tahidi High actor Dennis Mugo popularly known as OJ disclosed how he squandered the money he made from the show.

During an episode of a show on his YouTube channel, OJ explained that he did not invest the salary he earned from the show and other jobs he got from the fame that came from his character on Tahidi High.

OJ stated that he would get well-paying hosting jobs and advertisements from big brands that paid him well.

"I made my first million, but what did I do with it? nothing," he confessed.

A file image of Former Tahidi High actor Denis Mugo alias OJ

Instagram

He regretted that he didn't achieve the things he wanted in his life due to bad habits which included taking alcohol as he did not save money.

"The celebrity mentality got into my head. I was a big name and the fame left as fast as it came.

"After the show ended, I started to wonder why the people who were calling me for jobs were not looking for me anymore," he stated.

He admitted that he got into a downward spiral due to alcoholism that made him burn through his money.

"I got a son during that time but we later separated with my wife due to my alcohol problem.

"I got to a point to my life where I had depression due to my situation," he stated. 

OJ also opened up on his childhood where he revealed that he was a troubled teen raised by a single mother 

"I started smoking cigarettes in Form Two and later got into using alcohol from chang'aa to high-end spirits as well," he disclosed.

In a previous interview, OJ disclosed that when he left Tahidi High,he delved into the advertising industry to work as a creative director for different adverts. Some of the companies he has worked for include Take 2 Communications and Triple Edge Media. 

Dennis Mugo AKA OJ during the shooting of his YouTube show in August 2020.

Facebook

NTV's popular show Auntie Boss finally came to an end on Tuesday, September 15 after entertaining fans for eight years.

The producers, Moonbeam Kenya made the announcement on Wednesday, September 16 through their social media pages. 

Auntie Boss was a Kenyan comedy-drama television series. It delved into the lives of the domestic house helps in a fictional Taifa Estate (Greenspan Estate) and their everyday drama within the neighbourhood.

"It is a wrap on Auntie Boss. We have enjoyed 8 wonderful years, 22 seasons and hundreds of episodes. 

Auntie Boss cast pose for a photo in 2019

File

"We are grateful to all of you for tuning in to watch Auntie Boss every week on NTV. Thank you for supporting this show right through till the end, we love and appreciate all of you," the producers announced.

None of the famous actors, from Eve D'Souza, Nyce Wanjeri, Sandra Dach (Silprosa), David Opondoe (Mayweather) disclosed their next plans after the show ended. 

In April, the show went off air owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Moonbeam detailed that they had been forced to take a brief hiatus due to social distancing regulations. 

The Kenyan film industry is, however, also shifting, with actors and comedians embracing digital transformation. 

Several artistes have launched different shows on social media with focus on creating content. 

While speaking with Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, July 22, comedian Eric Omondi acknowledged that the Covid-19 disruption of shows would change the game and more content creation would be consumed on the web and TV than physical shows.

He advised artists to invest in quality content which can be used by brands for marketing. 

Omondi added that companies were creating huge marketing budgets for content creation that comedians should tap into. 

“I had already built my brand and adapting to the content industry was easy but these new acts are not as lucky because now there is so much content and you have to stand out,” he stated. 

Watch behind the scenes of Auntie Boss series

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Former Tahidi High actor Denis Mugo popularly known as OJ has opened up on a time his mother was inconsolable following rumors that he had been shot dead by a mob.

On his Youtube show, OJ Flix, the renowned actor spoke on cyberbullying and how it had affected a number of celebrities in the entertainment industry as well as media personalities.

"This topic is very personal to me especially because I have been through it and it took me to a very dark place when the story was put out on social media," he begun. 

"I was just at home relaxing when I got a call from my mother, who was crying uncontrollably," he continued.

File image of Abel Mutua (2nd from left) with other members of the old cast of Tahidi High

YouTube

Alarmed by her cries, the actor panicked and sought to find out what the issue was; only for him to learn that his mother had stumbled on an article that implied the actor had been shot dead.

"When she called, she asked, who is speaking? Who is talking? because she read an article on social media that OJ, a Tahidi High actor, was among a gang that was gunned down for theft," he stated.

“Why would you wake up in the morning with a goal of disrupting someone's life," he posed.

The actor called upon bloggers and internet users to be wary of sharing fake news, informing that families of the affected suffered the consequences.

OJ is just one of the many celebrities who have witnessed cyberbullying on social media platforms.

Before his death on July 18, 2020, Charles Bukeko known to many as Papa Shirandula, advised the youth to use the internet as a platform to build careers rather than attacking others.

"I have been rumored to be dead seven times now. It is just sad especially for people who sincerely care about me like my family members. It is a curse for anyone to do that," the late Shirandula stated in an interview with Radio Citizen in August, 2019.

The government has moved to fight the propagation of fake news by stipulating stiff penalties for anyone found guilty of the crime.

Earlier in 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta enacted the Computer and Cybercrimes Bill, 2017 providing a two-year jail term or Ksh5 million fine for spreading fake news.

“A person who intentionally publishes false, misleading or fictitious data or misinforms with the intent that the data shall be considered or acted upon as authentic, with or without any financial gain, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both,” reads clause 12 of the new law.

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Citizen TV's Machachari Show is arguably a cult classic series that aired on Kenyan televisions as many grew up watching the weekly shenanigans of the main cast Baha, Govi, Stella, Millie, Almasi and Joy.

In September 2019, the media station cancelled further production of the show, an end that ended up paving the way forward for many of the actors.

On the first anniversary, since the show stopped filming, Kenyans.co.ke caught up with Wanjiku Mburu who portrayed the character of Mama Baha for 11 years where she opened up on life after the iconic show.

Wanjiku Mburu (centre) with other cast members of Machachari

Twitter

"Even now I go to places and fans of the show still call me Mama Baha," she cheerfully reminisces.

Mburu who had been hospitalised on September 4 revealed that she was much better and was already working on other projects including a feature film and a short film. On the winding down of the show, the actor disclosed that it did take a toll on her.

"Acting is not as easy as many people think it is. For 11 years I used to play the character of Mama Baha and when the show ended it took some time for me to adjust back to being me," she explained.

The thespian explained that when acting, one becomes someone else and that affected her quality of life 

"I went through a period of depression, I even had to work with a psychiatrist to help me navigate life after the show," she stated.

In a bid to rediscover herself, Mburu embarked on rest and travelling while exploring new hobbies as well.

"It is a heavy task before you can actually get into the character, you have to do a lot of research as well as mental adjustment to get into the mind of the character," she added.

From Right: Kamau Mbaya, Wanjiku Mburu, Susan Kamau and friends on September 7, 2020.

Instagram

A 2016 research by the University of Adelaide, Australia found that actors were highly vulnerable to depression and symptoms of anxiety.

"Their mental wellbeing is threatened in a range of ways, such as: a lack of autonomy in their profession, lack of control over their employment and general working environment, complex interpersonal relationships, a high level of self-criticism, a high level of criticism by family and friends for their choice of profession, and a heavy drinking culture.

"Actors also report experiencing vicarious trauma through their acting experiences - they are so emotionally, intellectually and physically engaged in their roles that it can be difficult to switch off. Some report having nightmares and intrusive thoughts related to their roles," the lead researcher Alison Robb discovered in her thesis.

A number of Hollywood actors have gone public about the toll of taking on certain movie roles. American actress Anne Hathaway explained that her 2012 role as Fantine in Les Miserables impacted her health, physically, emotionally and mentally.

Even though she won an oscar for her performance, she at the time revealed that she had an identity crisis after the heart-wrenching role.

American actress Anne Hathaway on the red carpet.

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