Unlike Their South African And Nigerian Counterparts, Kenyan Comedians Are A Joke! Here’s Why Not Even Churchill Makes The Cut

Before we begin, I need everyone to take a deep breathe. It is time for Kenyans to cash a reality cheque written by none other than me. And I need everyone that reads this to understand that Kenyans have a right to an opinion… MINE!

Yesterday, my colleague Sue Watiri did a poll seeking to find out just who it was between Teacher Wanjiku and her Ugandan counterpart Anne Kansiime Kenyans felt could carry a show on their own and the results were quite revealing. Kenyans have zero faith in their own:

Overwhelming is an understatement. The lass known as Teacher Wanjiku doesn’t seem to have the confidence of Kenyans. What shocked me is the fact that there wasn’t even a patriotic wave. Kenyans were unequivocal with their resounding rejection.

That led me to ask whether there is any Kenyan comedian who can carry a show on their own. I don’t mean featuring other comedians, I mean actually carry a feature -as it were- on their own. When I asked Baba Ghafla whether he had faith in Churchill, he balked. And indeed, Churchill himself cannot carry a show on his own. He needs other “side-shows”.

I then asked whether that means that even his undertaking is a failure -afterall, Churchill Show is founded on the premise that he is giving upcoming comedians an opportunity to create a brand for themselves and also, as a value add, mentorship.

But if the scions of this show cannot stand on their own for a half an hour show then doesn’t that mean that they have failed? Doesn’t that mean that the system that gave them their start is a failure? Think about it.

Trevor Noah from South Africa and Basket mouth are examples whom Churchill should consider peers. Sadly, he cannot be counted amongst them. What of Jalang’o? Klint the Drunk reprises his role as a drunk wherever he goes but all around Africa, people can relate. He and Jalas both play the mumu (fool). They are the archetype of the harlequin yet Jalang’o is still local. He no dey sabi dance! (He doesn’t know the steps to the dance).

And the thing about this is that they do not come close to their African counterparts. that’s why to Uncle Chim Tuna, Kenyan comedians have nothing to laugh about.

 I tried reaching Teacher Wanjiku for a response to no avail. She doesn’t seem to think reassuring Kenyans that her show will not be a flop is important. We’ll see how things go for her once the show premieres.