Celebrated actor Derrick Amunga who wowed many takes a final bow

Actor Derrick Amunga during his happy days. [Photos: Courtesy]

NAIROBI, KENYA: Celebrated actor Derrick Amunga, who in the 1990s took the local silver screen by storm, has bowed out of the world stage under mysterious circumstances.

Amunga, who was popularly known as Master Sugu after his screen name in the TV series Tausi, was found dead at the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary after a week’s search.

The distinguished actor, in his early 40s, had just returned to the city after a six-week hiatus in his Kakamega rural home.

“I accommodated him in my house in Kinoo 87 for a month and I left the city as I had some urgent matters to attend to in my rural home in Nyanza,” explained Samson Odhiambo Agunga, Amunga’s personal friend and colleague.

It was on July 25 that Amunga left the house and explained to Odhiambo’s sister-in-law that he was taking a short walk and would be back in a while. He never returned.

Friends and family then embarked on a long search that finally led them to the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary where they found the body of Amunga.

He was reportedly taken to the hospital on July 27 by three policemen from Kabete Police Station who had picked him unconscious along Waiyaki Way with head and chest injuries.

He died the same day.

It is not yet clear what killed Amunga as a post-mortem is yet to be conducted.

Many still have fresh memories of Amunga performing in Festival of Creative Arts play Trapped produced by Eliud Abuto, only three weeks ago.

PIONEER ROLE

“We have lost a pioneer and an icon in TV and theatre. Amunga opened the door for many Kenyan artistes on TV through his brilliant performance as Master Sugu on KBC and his pioneer role in Tahidi High on Citizen TV,” said Abuto.

He described Amunga as a reliable and a dependable team player who was always available on short notice and still excelled.

Director Job Masika recalled in 2002 when he performed the narrative Imondo during the National Drama Festival, how then Amunga came to him with words of encouragement, “You are talented brother, keep it up.”

This was his easy way with the people he met, ever so jovial but also honest with acquaintances from his days as a student at the then Kenya Polytechnic.

“He has been a critic and sort of adviser in my scripts and production. Every actor will tell you that Derrick was in his own golden acting brackets,” said Masika who has since formed his own theatre company that specialises in oral narrative performance at Alliance Francaise in Nairobi.

Michael Ahendera, a former colleague at KBC and a celebrated broadcast journalist was Amunga’s fan.

“I think it’s a big loss to our country because Amunga was an inspiration to many, especially the young people. It as big loss to the artistes,” he said.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGES

Messages of condolence poured in from far and wide including the USA from former co-actor Ofemi Ofemi Kaunga who currently is pursuing a PhD in anthropology.

“I first met you (Amunga) when my theatre group performed at your school, Ingotse Boys, and you asked me afterwards how you could become a professional actor. I invited you to the Kenya National Theatre and cast you in your first professional play “Covenant with Death”, said Kaunga.

He went ahead to thank Amunga for “for being such a keen listener and patient observer”.

Veteran Director Peter Mudamba Mudamba, formerly of Mbalamwezi Players and well known for his sterling role in Alfred Mutua’s TV blockbuster series Cobra Squad, remembered Amunga as an astute artiste.

Theatre guru Jacob Otieno described Amunga as a rare talent whose life was cut short.

Friends and family are meeting for funeral arrangements under a committee chaired by Abuto.