“I Have Been A Fan Of His Since I Was A Youngster,” President Uhuru Emotionally Mourns Mzee Ojwang And Defends Himself Against Allegations He Ignored His Request To Meet Him
Still riding on the sad news of the passing on of one of Kenya’s oldest and finest comedians, the head of state has come out to mourn the late Mzee Ojwang Hatari of Vitimbi who succumbed to Pneumonia yesterday evening.
The country was thrown into disarray following the death of Mzee Ojwang, a man born as a Kikuyu in Nyeri but embraced a Luo character which greatly defined him as he entertained masses since time immemorial.
And the latest to pen an emotional tribute to the fallen Kenyan hero is President Uhuru Kenyatta. Through his Facebook account, the head of state has praised Mzee Ojwang, revealing how he was his greatest fan ever since he was a youngster.
President Uhuru went on to lament how Kenya has lost one of its heroes, a man who brought so much laughter in many homes and brought social cohesion thanks to his antics as an actor and comedian.
The President has also taken the opportunity to defend himself against accusations that he failed to meet the late Mzee Ojwang who made numberless efforts to share a word with him.
Mzee Ojwang’s wife on Vitimbi, Mama Kayai, accused President Uhuru early today when speaking to one of the radio stations in the country, saying that he refused to meet Mzee Ojwang despite the deceased making efforts to meet him.
Mama Kayai who sounded so emotional as she narrated the plight of the deceased on national radio lamented that the government did not do enough to fete people who have served this country diligently. One of them is the late Mzee Ojwang.
Here is what the President said: (Click next page to see President Uhuru’s emotional tribute to Mzee Ojwang)
I have learnt with great sadness about the passing of Benson Wanjau, who was better known to all his fans in Kenya and beyond as Mzee Ojwang.
Mzee Ojwang lived a full life of great artistic accomplishment. His role as Mzee Ojwang is unforgettable and iconic. His devotion to that character and role was exemplary. Through it, Wanjau educated, informed and entertained Kenyans with unparalleled dexterity. He taught without sounding preachy, informed without boring anyone, and entertained without becoming trivial.
Wanjau devoted his life to the development of his legendary character and, whether with his troupe or alone, became a much-loved national figure. He also inspired a long line of comedians and actors who seek to replicate his feats.
Without a doubt, family television will not be the same without the promise of Mzee Ojwang regaling the nation with his antics.
National holidays will suffer the loss of a long-standing figure of unstinting reliability in delivery. The entertainment industry will grieve a man of simple but ferocious loyalty to his trade, an inspiration and role model to countless aspiring stars, and a pillar of the industry.
Mzee Wanjau, as Mzee Ojwang, was our Nation’s kind teacher and gentle critic. He taught us through his ever-green comedy, that we are never perfect, but that learning from our mistakes and waking up to our folly places us on the redeeming path to continuous improvement. I have been a fan of his since I was a youngster. He showed Kenya how to take itself more seriously by laughing at its own reflection in the mirror of drama which they hold before us.
He and his colleagues memorably demonstrated that the finest art and entertainment does not have to shed its social purpose. Rather, it is possible for artists to delve deeper into our condition and strive to help us seek the answers we all yearn after.
He charmed many generations of Kenyans from all walks of life by completely embracing a new ethnic identity and showing that our struggles are not unique, and that there’s much more that unite than divide us.
I looked forward to socialising with Mzee Ojwang and other artistes during the opening of the refurbished National Theatre. My sadness is greater for the knowledge that this will not happen. On behalf of my Government and the people of Kenya, I extend words of comfort, encouragement and condolence to the family, colleagues and friends of Mzee Wanjau.
A great artist has taken his final bow. We salute him. A legendary Kenyan has gone to rest. We wish him a fitting farewell. May God give you the strength to bear his passing, and may his soul find eternal rest in God’s kingdom.
