ERICK OMONDI, 27, is a comedian and entertainer who always got into trouble in school because of noisemaking. He shares his story with GARDY CHACHA
Who is Erick Omondi?
The person you see. He is a second born in a family of four siblings. He loves jokes and ugali.
Do you have an alter ego or a different personality in you?
No. The Erick Omondi you see on stage is Erick Omondi everywhere. I am a whole person. I am me.
How do you define yourself?
I am a doctor; I treat illnesses such as stress, sadness and depression. I also prescribe certain amounts of laughter. However, conventional knowledge defines me as an entertainer, which is fair enough.
Educational background?
I attended Kondele Primary School for my lower primary then completed at Lake Primary. For high school, I went to Kisumu Boys then came to Nairobi and joined Daystar University in 2003. It took me seven years to graduate.
Why so long?
Shida za hapa na pale (problems here and there). I had enrolled to do Mass Communication and was required to pay Sh107,000. I only had Sh24,000, which I made through a fundraising. Nevertheless, I registered at the university. I cleared the first semester but in the second one, nilipatikana. I went back to Kisumu and stayed there for two years. At Daystar, I had joined Christian Fellowship and in 2005 (I still don’t know how), I was nominated and elected as a vice-chairperson in absentia. I was called and told what happened. The school resolved to recall me and have me apply for a scholarship. I won a full scholarship. I completed my pre-university then began a degree programme in 2006 and graduated in 2010. It’s remarkable — just like someone doing Medicine.
Why journalism?
