KTN News anchor Frank Otieno responded to a viral photo collage of the journalist and Tanzania's President John Pombe Magufuli while speaking with Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, August 11.
Otieno who is renowned for his affluence in Swahili and seasoned reporting in matters Education, stated that he was always thrilled at times by the jokes made on his uncanny resemblance to the Tanzanian President.
He recalled how his fans and strangers often approach him before they realise he is not Magufuli.
"There was this moment when I was enjoying some free time at Cabanas, Nairobi. I was dressed in a dark suit and a red tie. A stranger approached me and shook my hand before asking if I was Magufuli.
"Even in entertainment joints and at my place of work, my colleagues and fans crack jokes on it and we have fun," Otieno stated before breaking into laughter.
While taking a cab or a PSV, passengers also stare at him and giggle without saying a word. This, he says, is not out of his work as a reporter but being a doppelgänger.
Otieno added that while responding to the viral photo in their workplace's Whatsapp group, his colleague Wellington Nyongesa asked him to trace his roots as history alleged that Magufuli had ties to Kenya.
Nyongesa claimed that Magufuli had relatives in Migori County and with Otieno hailing from Nyanza too, the duo may be related.
The journalist further stated that he took his time to study the two pictures and acknowledged that indeed there was quite a resemblance. However, he clarified that he did not have any relations whatsoever to the Tanzanian head of state.
Photos of other lookalikes have been shared on social media of late, with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s photo among the latest. Michael Njogo Gitonga opened up on resembling the President, adding that it affected his way of life as Kenyans asked him to donate money on several occasions.
Other celebrities who have lookalikes include Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Sauti Sol’s Bien Barasa.
