There are very few prominent professionals in Kenya who have had a seamless switch of careers like Dennis Ombachi.
Popularly known as the Roaming Chef, Ombachi is a former Kenya 7s rugby player who is now a self-taught internet chef and arguably the biggest food content creator in the country.
Ombachi rose to fame between 2019 and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic era as he went house to house offering culinary services and that is how he acquired the title 'roaming chef'.
He would later build on the momentum by posting videos of himself cooking different dishes on different social media platforms.
Although he was already popular, his cooking abilities, combined with his chopping and presentation skills made him even more famous. His catchphrase ‘done’ which he says after finishing a cooking task has become a brand in its own right.
2023 has been a big year for him as he has landed deals with various companies such as Royco, Kenchic, and Festive Bakeries.
The Chinese and Italian Embassies in Nairobi have also tapped him for food diplomacy roles.
As a rugby player, Ombachi wore Kenyan colours in the 2016 Summer Olympics before a life-changing incident on the pitch.
He broke his ankle and leg and he did not play for six months.
In his sporting career, Ombachi will be remembered for the last-minute run that sealed Kenya’s qualification for the Rio Olympics.