This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
Charles Bukeko, a 58-year-old Kenyan actor and comedian, popularly known as Papa Shirandula, has left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. He passed away on July 13, 2020, at the Karen Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, where he had been receiving treatment.
According to his sister-in-law, Alice Atamba, the family is still waiting for the hospital's report on the cause of his death. 'They have not given us the details. We are waiting for the hospital's report but he was just unwell,' she said in an interview with Kenyans.co.ke.
Shirandula is survived by his wife, Beatrice Ebbie Andega, and three children: Tony, Charlie, and Wendy. He was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, known for his natural sense of humour and effortless depiction of typical Kenyan lifestyles.
Throughout his career, Shirandula won numerous awards, including the 2010 Kalasha awards. He also appeared in several big-time commercials across the world, including Coca Cola and GOTV. His notable film roles include The Constant Gardener (2005), Malooned (2007), and The Captain of Nakara (2012).
Shirandula's journey in the entertainment industry began in theatre, where he built his career from the ground up. He once stated, 'I approached Wachira Waruru with the idea of a Papa Shirandula TV show and that is how I got into television. Thumbs up to him because I would not be where I am if it wasn’t for him, television-wise.'
His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the memories he created. Citizen TV MD Wachira Waruru eulogised the actor as a towering thespian who was loved in every corner of the country.
