This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent condolences to the family of Charles Bukeko, also known as Papa Shirandula, a legendary actor who passed away on July 18, 2020, at Karen Hospital.
President Kenyatta eulogized Papa Shirandula as a gifted storyteller whose contribution to the development of Kenya's entertainment sector will be cherished forever.
Others who have paid tribute to the TV star include Ambassador Yvonne Khamati-Yahaya, the CEO of Kenya National Heroes Council.
As a consummate professional, Papa Shirandula believed in preserving culture. In the last days, he spent most of his time in Busia, where he was born, working on a write-up on the different dialects in Busia.
His legacy will live on as a hero who lived ahead of his time, and his incomplete project of the Luhya dictionary will be remembered as a testament to his devotion to art.
