Tag: Dennis Ombachi news

Former Kenya 7’s rugby player turned award-winning food content creator, Dennis Ombachi, also known as The Roaming Chef, has revealed that he has declined several lucrative brand deals because they did not align with his beliefs and principles.

The father of two made this revelation following a viral post on X, where he announced cutting ties with telecommunications company Safaricom. Ombachi decided to end his collaboration with Safaricom after allegations surfaced that the company had intentionally disrupted services on the evening of Tuesday the 25th, during the Reject Finance Bill protests when citizens occupied Parliament.

Some social media users questioned his decision to sever ties with the telecom giant, prompting Ombachi to clarify his stance on his X page.

“My decisions are all based on my values, not money,” firmly stated the Olympian.

He further shared that he had previously turned down substantial offers from betting and alcoholic brands due to his beliefs and life experiences.

“I have turned down heavy bags from betting and alcoholic brands because of what I believe in and life experiences. Money can buy all the nice things, but of what use are they if we lose all the things that money can’t buy?” Ombachi wrote.

After his post gained traction, social media influencer and artist The Magunga also announced he would be following in Ombachi’s footsteps and cutting ties with Safaricom.

In his post, The Magunga wrote, “I will earn my keep elsewhere! It’s a tough decision since I have been loyal to Safaricom for over 10 years and we have worked together all along. But after what you guys did, I am ashamed to be associated with you.”

He further acknowledged that seeing Ombachi’s stand gave him the courage to make his own stance public.

“I have to admit that my decision—while it is something I held in my heart since yesterday—was emboldened by Ombachi this morning,” his tweet read.

The two influencers join a growing list of notable figures, including content creator Muchiri Mike, globally acclaimed actress Kate Kamau, and gospel artist and podcast host Ben Cyco, who have also announced they will no longer work with the telecommunications company.

Ben Cyco even went as far as pulling his songs from Safaricom’s Skiza platforms, marking the end of an era for him.

Kenyan celebrity chef Dennis Ombachi, known as the “Roaming Chef,” has addressed fans eager to support his popular meal giveaways. While currently declining sponsored mass cooking initiatives, he hinted at possible future collaborations with a structured system in place.

Ombachi receives frequent offers, particularly from international fans, but emphasizes his preference for personal funding at this stage. He values accountability and the freedom to cook in his own style, reminiscent of his catering days where he fed large groups.

“Cooking for people gives me immense joy,” Ombachi explains. “It sparks my childhood passion and brings smiles, which is all I need.” He shares fond memories of catering events and the satisfaction of serving large crowds.

Despite his current preference, Ombachi acknowledges the potential for future collaborations. “If things change, there will need to be a transparent system to manage contributions responsibly,” he assures.

Overall, Ombachi expresses gratitude for his supporters’ enthusiasm and hints at an evolving approach as his initiative grows. This openness leaves room for future partnerships while respecting his current values and priorities.

For Dennis Ombachi, the journey to becoming “The Roaming Chef” began long before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a private chef, he traveled from house to house, catering to clients and learning from each unique kitchen. This nomadic approach to cooking earned him the moniker “The Roaming Chef,” and it also helped him forge strong connections with those he served.

“Just before Covid, I was moving from house to house, cooking for clients, hence the name ‘Roaming Chef,’ and I really enjoyed myself. I learned a lot and made some amazing connections,” Ombachi said in a post on X.

The pandemic forced many in the food and hospitality industry to adapt, and Ombachi was no exception. He began creating and sharing cooking videos on social media, and his engaging personality and delicious recipes quickly captured the attention of audiences worldwide.

Today, Ombachi is a renowned culinary artist and content creator with over 2 million followers on TikTok. His signature sign-off, “Done!” and mouth-watering dishes have made him a household name in the world of food content.

But what is the secret to Ombachi’s success? Perhaps it is his passion for cooking, his ability to connect with his audience, or his willingness to experiment and learn new things. Whatever the case may be, “The Roaming Chef” has become an inspiration to many, and his story is a reminder that even the most challenging circumstances can be turned into opportunities.

A video of Dennis Ombachi pecking his toddler son on the lips has gone viral, sparking a debate on parental affection.

Some people have criticized Ombachi for the gesture, saying it is not appropriate for a father to kiss his son on the lips. They argue that such a gesture is sexual and could confuse the child.

Others have defended Ombachi, saying that there is nothing wrong with a father showing affection to his son in this way. They point out that different cultures have different ways of showing affection, and that what is considered appropriate in one culture may not be considered appropriate in another.

Motivational speaker Sam West, who is also a father, weighed in on the debate, saying that

“different cultures have different ways of showing affection.” He added that “if the gesture is genuine and sincere I do not see a problem with it.”

Ombachi, who is currently in Moscow with his son, has not responded to the criticism. However, he did post a photo of himself and his son on social media with the caption “My everything.”

The debate over Ombachi’s video highlights the different ways that people view parental affection. It also raises the question of whether there is a “right” or “wrong” way to show affection to one’s children. Ultimately, it is up to each individual parent to decide how they want to show their love and affection to their children.

Dennis Ombachi, a Kenyan TikToker and rugby player, recently shared photos of himself kissing his son on the lips on social media. The photos elicited mixed reactions from netizens, with some people expressing their disapproval of the father’s actions, while others defended him.

Ombachi, who is married to Svetlana Polikarpova and has two children, was in Moscow with his son at the time of the photos. He said that he wanted to celebrate his son’s exemplary performance in school by taking him on a trip.

One of the photos shows Ombachi pecking his son on the lips. This photo has been shared widely on social media, and it has sparked a debate about the appropriate level of physical affection between parents and their children.

Some people have argued that kissing a child on the lips is inappropriate, regardless of the child’s age. They believe that this type of physical affection can be confusing for children and can lead to them developing unhealthy ideas about intimacy.

Others have defended Ombachi’s actions, saying that there is nothing wrong with a parent kissing their child on the lips. They argue that this type of physical affection is a normal way for parents to show their love for their children.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to kiss a child on the lips is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and what is appropriate for one family may not be appropriate for another.

It is important to note that the reactions to Ombachi’s photos are just that – reactions. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the majority of people. It is also important to remember that social media can be a very echo chamber-y place, so it is important to get your information from a variety of sources before forming an opinion.

Dennis Ombachi, the popular chef known as The Roaming Chef, recently revealed that he turned down a gift from his wife on his birthday. In a Q&A with Capital Lifestyle, Ombachi was asked about something that people don’t know about him. He honestly admitted that he doesn’t know how to drive.

“Cars have never really interested me,” Ombachi said. “I watched so many cop shows when growing up, and I was always fascinated by the cops and cop life. They were always the heroes in the tv shows.”

Ombachi’s wife, Svetlana Polikarpova, offered him a voucher for driving lessons as a birthday gift. However, Ombachi declined the gift, saying that he was not interested in learning how to drive.

“I didn’t want to waste my wife’s money,” Ombachi said. “I’m happy just taking Ubers and public transportation.”

Ombachi also revealed that he had wanted to be a policeman when he was growing up. However, he eventually decided to pursue a career in rugby.

“I’m still fascinated by the police,” Ombachi said. “But I’m happy with my life as a chef.”

Ombachi’s story is a reminder that it’s okay to be different. Not everyone is interested in driving, and that’s perfectly fine. If you have a dream that you’re passionate about, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve it.

Former rugby player Dennis Ombachi has spoken out about how he used cooking to get through some of his darkest days. In an interview with CNN, the online chef talked about his journey with mental health and how he resorted to cooking to battle it.

“There is a healing feeling I get from cooking that I can’t explain,” he said.

The retired pro rugby player represented Kenya for more than a decade but suffered a lot of injuries along the way. Ombachi said he used to watch a lot of cooking videos, especially when he was injured. He referred to cooking as a sensory experience for him.

“I use my sense of smell and even sight just to know that what I am preparing is ready. It is a sensory experience for me,” he said.

He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018 and it took him around three years to disclose his condition to his parents who were supportive.

Before the diagnosis, he said he could experience mood swings and depression or even lock himself up and drink a lot.

“I could engage in certain drugs to numb my feelings and even got to a point where I became suicidal,” he said.

Hitting rock bottom was a wake-up call for the online chef and he decided it was time to take charge. It was at this point that he decided to put into practice the cooking skills he had been watching. He started filming videos under the name The Roaming Chef when the covid 19 pandemic hit.

Ombachi quickly became an internet sensation and currently, he has more than two million followers on TikTok. His interesting cooking videos earned him the 2022 tik tok award for the top creator in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ombachi has no plans of returning to the pitch full time saying his dream is to open a restaurant.

“Ever since I started cooking my dream has been to open up a restaurant. That will be my legacy. Something I’ll leave for my kids,” the chef said.

He admires top chef Gordon Ramsey’s style of cooking saying he focuses more on the principles of cooking rather than just the recipe.

Ombachi’s story is an inspiration to anyone who is struggling with mental health. He shows us that it is possible to overcome challenges and find a new purpose in life.