Tag: MC Jesse

MC Jesse The Hustler: Random thoughts on South Imenti politics as the MP-aspirant dons UDA Party ticket

Posted on by Kibaki Muthamia

Recently, I ran into a random sitting with the local populace, engaged in a heated debate on the dynamic state of South Imenti politics. There’s a guy there, largely silent throughout the fracas. He quips: Do we really need politicians to run a country?

Well, that question silenced that group, briefly. Someone dismissed it as a ‘national question’. Perhaps, it is. After all, entire continents have run on their own without politicians running them. But it’s clear that, indeed, we need politicians.

Why do we need referees at organized games? Same principle.

To manage the chaos.

 

It’s a big bite of optimism to assume that people in large groups like a country can all play by the rules. Reality is, humans are flawed and what’s “fair” to one person is tyranny to another. The trick, therefore, for the citizens – lies in picking the right politicians.

If only that guy had asked:

  1. How do we keep politicians from ruining the individual spirit?
  2. And, what party in the system respects the individual the most?

In South Imenti, never before have the residents been so politically excited. In past election periods, the system has been very predictable. The incumbent is usually tussling with seasoned politicians. Not this time. There’s a rookie who’s upset the scales.

Also Read: https://www.ghafla.co.ke/sponsored/mc-jesse-accepts-meru-elders-endorsement-for-mps-office/

This is the entertainer, Jasper Muthomi – widely known as MC Jesse. He’s stepping into the ring, on a UDA Party ticket.

So, how will the citizenry keep the politician from ruining the individual spirit? By finding identity with their choice. Who thinks Obama can win as Bondo MP? No one. A great leader, yes – but hardly pressed to think like Bondo residents.

In Mc Jesse’s case, it’s quite clear what drives him. He’s an individual who’s risen from nothing – some obscure village in the annals of the unbalanced constituency, to a formidable public personality. He’s made a name on the corporate scene, building valuable networks that’d come in handy on the constituency level – pushing community based initiatives, et al.

On the aspirant’s choice of running party – UDA – what better choice is there? Jasper Muthomi defies the term ‘hustler’, and lives that mantra. He’s self-built, self-educated and better still, increasingly seeks to empower persons around him. Besides, he’s lived the common person’s life that the party seeks to empower and improve.

The South Imenti MP aspirant dives into the cauldron with a cache of grassroots’ level solutions to daily life hustles.

Mc Jesse accepts Meru elders endorsement for MP office

Posted on by Kibaki Muthamia

It’s hard to define politics. The closest is to tag it as a social process determined by the nature of society. A process of decision making that accomodates the requiremements of all those affected by those decisions.

So much for academic citations. On the ground, things are pretty fluid – in politics.

Churchill Show’s comedian MC Jesse has officially announced his bid to vie for the Office of the Member of Parliament, in his home constituency – South Imenti.

On Saturday 6th November 2021, MC Jesse received rare endorsement by elders in a ceremoy that saw the comedian a recipient of the traditional symbols of leadership.

These include a native headgear, a symbolic shield, a spear and a 3-legged carved stool.

At this ceremony, it hit the aspiring politician hard: It’s really a petition. To hold this office is not really a feather to a personal cap, but rather a higher calling to serve the people – often at the price of personal comfort.

Speaking during the occasion, MC Jesse says:

“They say ‘What the Elders Can see while seated, Young Men will only be able to see it if only they stand on their shoulders” …

Over the weekend I was grateful and humbled by the Elders that raised me and who are from my Home Constituency of South Imenti when they honored and bestowed on me the blessings and responsibilities to lead South Imenti Constituency as the Member Of Parliament…..”

The comedian is popular for his theatrics on stage. He’s gifted in telling stories, often making fun of serious social trends.

MC Jesse, for people who have only seen him on stage – on Churchill Show, or hosting events – would be hard pressed to picture him deciphering serious issues in the society.

Yet, he’s a master. The stage persona is just an act.

In real life, MC Jesse is known as Jasper Muthomi. He grew up in an obscure, silent village in South Imenti. He’s an ambitious crusader in human rights, public and political affairs.

He’s not a chip off any old political block – no one in his lineage has held a political office. MC Jesse has no political legacy to inherit. He’s yet to announce the political party he’s joining for the quest.

He’s just an individual tired of the old political narrative peddled by the incumbent – Hon. Kathuri Murungi currently on his second term, and his predecessors.

It’s a sad fact, but South Imenti is probably the least developed of all the Meru Constituencies.

Large sections in South Imenti lacks basic utility networks – good roads, connections to the electricity grid, water issues….list is endless.

Basic healthcare is a mirage. Public hospitals and local dispensaries are bleeding – either half-built, understaffed or empty pharmacies.

The people suffer not for lack of resources, but, being victims of bad politicking and mismanagement of public resources.

MC Jesse’s life journey is fascinating. He’s been through it all. The usual tale – leaving home after high school and landing in Nairobi with nothing but a backpack – and not a dollar to his name.

It’s the benevolence of an old friend (an MP’s son) that gave him a footing. He started off as a farm hand, a laundry guy, a cook – name it.

He’s probably the only aspirant on South Imenti’s MP roll that has walked the entire capital, Nairobi. Either looking for work, or going to work. It’s stranger than fiction. And, hilarious.

These experiences, though, has shaped the man enough to straddle the entertainment and corporate corridors like a Colossus.

He’s an engaging orator – and sure set to give some color to the usual bland discourse in the national assembly.

The people of South Imenti will benefit from an articulate presentations of their issues by a perceptive representative.

Why Kenyan comedy doesn’t translate well outside Kenya

Posted on by Ozymandias

Kenyans seem to be unable to carry Kenyan comedy beyond the borders of our third world nation and this is a very interesting phenomenon. I am not referring to social media comedians because that is an entirely different ballgame -social media comedians rarely translate well off social media. I am referring to stand up comedians. Countries like Nigeria and South Africa, even Ghana have created some world-renown comedians who have taken to global stages but when it comes to Kenyans, for some reason we seem to stagnate at regional stages and even there, our comedians are often the least entertaining.

Why comedians do not call out Churchill and suffer silently

Perhaps it’s down to the fact that Kenyans are so PC (politically correct) out of fear of being accused of being too controversial yet time tested and proven formula for comedians is for them to inflame emotions. Why? because they critique society. So I found myself coming up with reasons as to why Kenyan comedy seems to be consigned to the fate of remaining a largely Kenyan affair:

#1. Kenyan comedy is too local

King of Kenyan comedy Eric Omondi

When you think of Eric Omondi, Churchill or MC Jesse, what comes to mind? Local content drilled down so specifically, it only serves the niche that believes ethnic humour is funny. If say, you’re a Kenyan who doesn’t find ethnic humour hilarious, it fails to hit the mark with you. Say, you’re a Kenyan with global exposure either through access to foreign media or you have travelled/ lived abroad, it fails to hit the mark.
Now imagine if you will, a Ugandan listening to a Kenyan comedy skit talking about Kikuyus from Nyeri. Or a Zambian listening to a Kenyan comedy skit talking about a Luhya’s appetite, how the hell will they click with the humour?

#2. Kenyan comedy has stagnated -refused to grow out of its mould

King of Kenyan comedy MCA Tricky

When you think of Vitimbi, Vioja Mahakamani, you will be forgiven to think that this is the old school way of doing comedy. It is on the nose, low IQ, ethnic-based -essentially slapstick humour. And while this clearly had a fan base and a large one at that, such humour is contextual. It performed well because of the context. This was before social media allowed Kenyans to consume humour from other countries and it was all we knew from a social standpoint.
Problem is, the new crop of Kenyan comedians have simply pushed on with this same formula. That is why shows like Real Househelps of Kawangware is a thing yet it is simply the same script, different cast. Kenyan comedy, like a virus, continues to replicate itself in the same format because it mistakenly assumes that this is the tried and tested winning play.

Back like he never left! Mulamwah bounces back a week after quitting comedy

#3. Kenyan comedy lacks satirical content

Satire is comedic gold but because Kenyan comedy relies heavily on politicians and businessmen to be its benefactors, it refuses to poke fun at some of the more glaring issues these individuals have. Kenyan comedians refuse to hold up a mirror to the Kenyan society because they are scared to strike out a new path. So we are stuck with the same low brow, troglodyte humour about “my name is Mary, I come from Nyeri, I eat githeri bullshit.
To build this point further for the unimaginative among us, political situations in Kenya can be paralleled to situations in Nigeria. South Africa’s social-economic realities are similar to an extent to Kenya’s. That is why Trevor Noah was funny while he was talking about South Africa. But you have to first cut your chops on local satire to learn how to blend it to different realities.

#4. Kenyans abroad lack an identity

Kenyan comedy suffered because Kenyans abroad lack an identity. When West Africans in the diaspora land there, they resolve to maintain their culture. They celebrate it. Kenyans on the other hand, resolve to maintain their ethnic cultures. That is why you will find (and they hate it when this is pointed out to them) but when they can help it, they will tend to gravitate towards members of their own ethnic communities. West Africans identify first as West Africans then by their nations.
As a result, this keeps Kenyan comedians from having to innovate their humour when they go for comedic tours abroad.

#5. Kenyan comedy is stunted by the lack of an intelligent audience

We are troglodytes. We enjoy simplistic humour so we don’t have to think too hard. Kenyan comedy is pragmatic. Why reinvent the wheel when it works so well?

Kings of Kenyan comedy
Owago and Churchill

And this is why Kenya has failed to produce the next Trevor Noah, someone who can appeal to a wide audience and not just his fellow compatriots. It is why for Kenyan comedians to get a show abroad, it has to be organized by Kenyans living in the diaspora. It’s why Kenyans have yet to produce Russell Peters of our own.

 

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