Human rights activist, Bonface Mwangi, and former Kiss FM radio host, Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o, are part of a cast in a new TV show, Roast House, modeled after a popular American programme.
In a statement to the newsroom, Showmax Public Relations representative, Jennifer Ochieng', announced that the show had been added to the streaming website's library of local and international content.
The show, which was created by reality show super-producer Eugene Mbugua, places a number of stars in the spotlight and allows a clique of comedians to roast them for laughter.
The first episode features Mwangi who was accompanied by his wife, Njeri Mwangi, and his musician and activist friend, Juliani.
"In the course of the 24 minutes of Roast House episode 1, Boniface’s activism woes earn him a fair share of roasts from the comedians taking the stage, with Justine Wanda delivering one of the most brutal roasts of the night: 'Bonnie’s entire activism career is basically political BDSM. He keeps going back for more because he loves it (sorry)... he loves us.'
"In this roast of Boniface Mwangi, nothing is off limits, from his ‘failed’ political career to his relationship with Juliani and former Machakos First Lady, Lilian Ng’ang’a, to his recent ‘beef’ with the governor of Machakos county, Alfred Mutua," the statement read in part.
The show was recorded live at Number 7 Club on Koinange Street in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD). Mbugua is the brains behind other popular Kenyan reality series such as Kyallo Kulture, Sol Family and This Love.
Other stars who formed part of the cast in the 10-part series include David Mathenge alias Nameless, singer Sanaipei Tande and Jackson Ngechu Makini popularly known as Prezzo.
The show was co-produced by Stand-Up Collective’s team of comedians that includes Doug Mutai; Ty Ngachira, host of NTV primetime show Too Much Information with Ty Ngachira; Amandeep Jagde, and Justine Wanda.
Doug, who is also the Stand-Up Collective co-founder, singled out the Roast of Boniface Mwangi as one of the most exciting ones.
“The man has fodder for days and being one of the first few ones, we knew he could take it as he has dealt with worse things. For us, it meant it would be a no-holds-barred session.
“Sanaipei was another one but for the opposite reason. Everyone loves her, she has no enemies, and we didn't know if we'd be courting trouble with her fans but it turned out to be one of the best because she was such a sport with a great sense of humour," Doug noted.
The show takes after the US comedy, the Comedy Central Roast, which unites media personalities and comedians in a hall to roast each other.
The show, which has been on air since 2003 and is in its 14th season, has hosted mega-watt celebrity guests including Justin Bieber, Kevin Hart and comedian Sarah Silverman among others.
