“Sahizi, I’m not a comedian,” admits Eric Omondi.
Comedian-turned-digital content creator, activist, and philanthropist Eric Omondi has opened up about his absence from the comedy scene, attributing it to the lack of receptiveness among Kenyans towards humor.
In an interview with Plug TV media, Eric addressed the question of whether he still identifies himself as a comedian.
“Can Eric still be considered a comedian, or should we remove that title altogether?” the interviewer asked.
In response, Eric revealed his decision to distance himself from the comedian label, stating his disinterest in continuing with comedy. “At this point, Eric Omondi is no longer a comedian because there’s nothing amusing in Kenya,” he firmly declared.
Expanding on his stance, Eric pointed out the prevailing somber atmosphere in the country, which, in his view, made comedy irrelevant.
He stressed that given the nation’s circumstances, there was little to find humorous or laughable. “Nobody is in the mood for laughter; people are grappling with depression. In fact, I believe we should ban all comedy shows in the country. There’s no room for smiles or laughter. You can’t crack jokes at a funeral, it’s just not appropriate,” he asserted.
Reiterating his viewpoint, Eric underscored the seriousness of the situation, acknowledging the widespread grief and financial hardships faced by many.
“The prevailing mood in Kenya is one of sorrow, not conducive to jokes and comedy. Until things improve, until there’s a change, comedy is off the table. Who will find humor in these circumstances? Why? At what time?” he candidly expressed.
He challenged the interviewer to interact with random individuals on the streets, confident they would share his perspective on the absence of humor amidst the current challenges.