Andrew Mugure popularly referred to as Mustafa from hit Citizen TV show Mother-in-law has opened up on struggles he faced after losing two jobs.
Speaking in an interview, the famed actor who was also a radio presenter at Hot 96FM explained that he had to survive on very little as well as handouts from family and friends during the difficult period.
He explained that in 2020, he was fired from his radio presenter job and at the same period, the Mother-in-Law show was also looking to cut on budgets so he got fewer episodes and eventually terminated him from the show.
Muthure recalled that at the time of his retrenchment, his wife was five months pregnant, and due to complications she was put on 24-hour bed rest.
Seeking treatment ate into their savings and the little income he made from the episodes of the show he had shot previously.
At that time, his family and friends help out with the basic things he needed. His landlady as well was understanding of his predicament as he was allowed to pay rent in installments.
"I am not earning anything currently as I still do not have a job. My family has been very gracious to us as they bring me food and help in paying the rent and they also encourage me not to give up," he stated.
The actor explained that there were friends who did not pick or return his calls when he needed their assistance.
During the period, he started to create content for online platforms but he faced a setback when his filming equipment and laptops were stolen from his home.
"Now I just shoot on my phone and I also edit on the same device," he explained.
To make ends meet, Muthure got into small-scale farming to provide for his family as he looks for a more consistent source of livelihood.
Despite his situation, the popular actor joined an initiative to raise Ksh3.5 milllion for Baby Neillah, a three-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy that restraints muscle movements in her body.
"I just had to help out where I could even it was just in prayers and also getting the word out there for people to contribute the money for her treatment," he conveyed.
