#MCM: Lack of school fees forced me into the streets - MCA Tricky

SDE: Why the name MCA?

MCA: It stands for Members of Chokora’s Assembly – where I once belonged to as a former street urchin.

SDE: You had a bright future in school why did you quit and join the harsh street life?

MCA: Hailing from a humble family background in Mombasa’s Makindu where poverty was the order of the day, lack of school fees forced me to taste unremorseful street life in Nairobi’s Saika estate for period of three years at a tender age of 12.

This was upon Completing Class Eight in 2004.

During the time I experienced the vagaries of street life during which I not only worked as an errand boy who ferried vegetables among other goodies  to and from Gikomba market, but I occasionally  sniffed glue, smoked shada, pick-pocketed and mugged people- all in the name of survival.

Other hardships ranged from hunger, negligence, lack of education to mistreatment by indifferent members of public.

SDE: Go on

MCA: After years of living dangerously in the streets I embraced the art of comedy as a vehicle to quit the misery of harsh street-life.

SDE: Prior to this you lived in Mombasa- how did you make your way to Nairobi?

MCA: My peers convinced me to accompany them to Nairobi in search of greener pastures without my parent’s knowledge. Due to the fact that I was idle, frustrated and needed to survive, I heeded to their plea only to realize that life in Nairobi was more difficult than I ever imagined.

This drove me to the streets.

SDE: Speaking of Churchill Show how did you make your way there? 

MCA: Some of my friends who live in Nairobi’s Jogoo Road encouraged me to do so. Also the set book group that I was part of for a year persuaded me to try my luck.

SDE: What happened next?

MCA: The moment I got to Carnivore grounds I met Proff Hammo who apart from being my role model was very friendly towards me. He too encouraged me to follow my heart’s yearnings. 

SDE: What was the audience first reaction upon being called on stage?

MCA: For a moment I wasn’t sure what to expect from them since mine was a different style of comedy that revolved around real life happenings around me including the less privileged in the society.

For the first few minutes they sort of took pity on me but with time I could hear them roaring in laughter. 

SDE: Do you write your own routines?

MCA: Mine is right in the head- things that I have been through including life observations among the less privileged. I believe I tell it as it is without letting my fans down and making them share my story. 

SDE: What happens if the audience don’t laugh?

MCA: Bombing is inevitable. Everyone has sets that don’t go well. The first few times it feels really bad besides being unprepared and confused. But despite this I have learnt to live with it being the hard-core type. 

SDE: How do you deal with hecklers?

MCA: Real, mean spirited hecklers are not as common as people think. Most people come to a comedy show to enjoy it rather than destroy it from the inside.

More often than not, if someone is yelling things during a show, that person is drunk and doesn’t realize how loud he/ she Is.

In those cases, you can usually just politely ask the offender to be a little quieter for the sake of the show.

Someone intentionally trying to throw off the comic onstage is much rarer.

SDE: But aren’t hecklers helping the show?

MCA: Not more than I would be helping my production by shouting. The person onstage generally has a pretty good idea of how the show is supposed to go. “Speak when spoken to,” is a good rule for audience members.

SDE: You make a living out comedy?

MCA: Yes comedy pays well. I am glad that I able to pay off my bills besides catering for my needs.

SDE: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

MCA: Becoming a mentor to the less privileged including many other aspiring comedians.

SDE: What are some of the life lessons you have learnt so far?

MCA: That life is a battlefield and not a playing ground we are here for a short time hence the need to strive and make the best of it.

SDE: Tell us about your family

I am the last born in a family of three born to Mr Peter and Ann Ndavi.

SDE: Advise to aspiring comedians?

MCA: To follow their hearts. Nothing is impossible as long as you are determined to do it.