KK Mwenyewe, a comedian who rose to prominence for imitating former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has died.
The comedian, whose full name is Zakaria Kariuki, passed on at the Kiambu Level 5 Hospital on Monday night after a short illness, according to fellow comedian and collaborator Kafengo.
"We are heartbroken to announce the sudden demise of Zakaria Kariuki, AKA Mr Kk Mwenyewe. He passed away yesterday evening while undergoing medical attention at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital," Kafengo wrote on Facebook.
"During these sad moments, we ask for support and prayers. To the family and friends, may God give us strength at this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace."
Kariuki's humorous depictions of the former DP had garnered him 1.1 million followers on TikTok and 412,000 more on Facebook. His final skit on both platforms was posted on July 4.
His deadpan humour, often presented in sketches, resonated with many Kenyans as he embodied several other characters that were relatable to average Kenyans.
From imitating politicians to imitating teachers and even ordinary Kenyans alike, he had an audience for each of his skits that often garnered him hundreds of thousands of views, especially on TikTok.
The then Kisii University student rose to fame in 2022 after posting a hilarious skit imitating Gachagua's reaction to winning the general elections. He even changed his appearance to look like Gachagua, complete with an oversized suit and a potbelly.
This landed him several media interviews and subsequently built his social media following, where he branched out to imitate others as well. He even received monetary help from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja who cleared his fee balance.
Following his death, fellow comedians, fans and even politicians took to social media to mourn his death, with Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah hailing him as a comedian who used satire to hold a mirror to society, not to divide, but to awaken, educate, and unite.
"Kenya has lost not just a comedian, but a cultural commentator and a brave young patriot. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire creative community," Omtatah stated.
"May his soul rest in peace, and may his light continue to inspire courage and creativity in those he leaves behind. Fare thee well, Mr KK Mwenyewe."
Gachagua, whose impersonations catapulted him to popularity, has yet to comment on his death at the time of publication of this article.
The short illness that resulted in his death has also yet to be revealed to the public, although images of him sick in the hospital have been widely shared on social media.
