This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
Comedian and radio presenter Francis Kibe, alias Rapcha The Sayantist, is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the late Benson Wanjau, popularly known as Mzee Ojwang', who played a pivotal role in shaping his career.
According to Rapcha, it was in 2001 when Mzee Ojwang' offered him a chance that would significantly impact his future as an actor and comedian.
At the time, Rapcha was a young actor who had broken into the cast of Vioja Mahakamani but was only doing fillers as he was not part of the main cast.
As Rapcha recounts, Mzee Ojwang' encouraged him to take center stage and shine in front of the crowd, promising to intervene if needed.
However, when Rapcha returned backstage after 20 minutes, Mzee Ojwang' took over the stage, leaving a lasting impression on the young comedian.
That experience, Rapcha says, was crucial in showing him that he could entertain without being part of a group, sparking his interest in stand-up comedy.
Reflecting on the current comedy industry, Rapcha notes that it was easier for new talent to emerge and thrive in the past, when no one tried to dominate the scene.
“In that generation, no one tried to own the industry, and this allowed for new talents to constantly emerge. At the moment, you have to ask yourself where the comedians who are not part of various cliques are supposed to go,” he said.
Mzee Ojwang' passed away in July 2015, leaving behind a legacy of key roles in local programs such as Vitimbi, Vioja Mahakamani, Vituko, and Kinyonga.
