Kenya's Mzee Ojwang' evokes laughter till final day

For over four decades he found his place in Kenyans' living rooms, cracking their ribs with his spellbinding jokes, aired both on radio and television.

Yesterday, as he was buried, his final rites were punctuated by the very laughter his memory evoked, and which earned him a place in his fans' hearts regardless of age, ethnic roots, race or religious beliefs.

But even more poignantly, what would have been a sombre burial was in many ways a celebration of the life of Kenya's master-entertainer who transcended ethnic boundaries by being born a Kikuyu but "living" his life as a proud Luo man by the name Mzee Ojwang' Hatari.

He also had other stage names whose hilarity he trebled by the way he pronounced them, with the right intonation for emphasis.

When he was not starring in Vitimbi, staged in his roadside kiosk which existed only in plays, he was in the hilarious court-drama series, Vioja Mahakamani.

Memorable scenes

The cast Benson Wanjau shared the stage with for many years were yesterday by his side as he exited.

Vitimbi artists during Mzee Ojwang's funeral service at Nyayo National stadium. 

(BEVERLYNE MUSILI/STANDARD)

The send-off ceremony at the Nyayo National Stadium mirrored Mzee Ojwang's charmed life, with mourners describing him as a sociable, loving and charismatic unsung hero. Each said he tickled Kenyans including retired President Daniel arap Moi who laughed to tears during public holidays at the stadium in the 90s.

For Ojwang', laughter, ululation, song and dance filled the air. Those who had known and loved him gathered at the stadium before leaving for Lang'ata Cemetery to see off one of the most prolific theatre characters Kenya, and indeed the East African region, has ever known.

Theatre groups re-enacted some of the most memorable scenes from programmes that had given the 78-year-old fame. Comedians and actors of programmes aired on local television channels like Mshamba, Jameni, Papa Shirandula, Vitimbi, Vioja Mahakamani, Inspekta Mwala, Churchill Show and Mother-In-Law were not left behind.

The casket, bearing Ojwang's remains, was yesterday morning removed from Umash Funeral Home in Nairobi.

The procession then passed by the Kenya National Theatre and arrived at the Nyayo National Stadium for the funeral service which was also attended by Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario, Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi (popularly known as Sonko) and Nairobi county officials.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his speech read by Mr Wario, eulogised the late comedian as a man who lived a great life of impressive artistic accomplishment.

"His devotion was exemplary. He inspired actors who tried to replicate him and national holidays will suffer the loss of Mzee Ojwang'. He entertained without becoming trivial and I have been his fan since I was young. A legendary Kenyan has gone to rest," read part of the President's speech.

Sonko drew attention from local actors when he arrived half-an-hour after the casket arrived.

"We tried our best to help Mzee Ojwang' and we took him to hospital for treatment. We worked together with the Government and other actors. As Nairobi senator, I pray for the family and relatives for the loss and we promise to support them during this mourning period," said Sonko.

Lucy Wangui, who starred as the judge in the old Vioja Mahakamani courtroom comedy, described Mzee Ojwang' as a close friend who took Kenyan television by storm in the 90s. "I met him in 1974 and we started working together. He really inspired me and I am where I am today because of him," recalled Ms Wangui.

Gibson Mbugua, the show's "prosecutor", said he would be forever grateful to Mzee Ojwang' as he taught him acting when he was still a young boy in 1980.

End prematurely

"Mzee Ojwang' used to have a theatre group called Tausi Drama Club that used to practise at Bahati Social Hall, where I would go to watch them every day," Mr Mbugua said. He comically took a swipe at Wangui terming her the judge who has never arrested anyone.

The stadium was a bee-hive of activity as hundreds of vehicles occupied the parking area.

Mzee Ojwang' was born in Mbiyui-ini sub-location, Nyeri County. He grew up in Nairobi and was enrolled in Heshima Road Primary School in 1944, where he went through four years of primary education.

He was promoted to intermediate level and this culminated in his sitting for the Kenya African Primary Education certificate in 1952.

He later joined Kagumo High school in Nyeri for his secondary education but due to financial constraints he did not finish his studies.  His education ended prematurely in 1954 at Form Two.

Ojwang's early cosmopolitan experience was the principal contributor to his grasp on life and eventual consideration of Kenyans as one people. The late actor succumbed to illness at the Kenyatta National Hospital where he had been admitted.