By Caroline Nyanga
Undoubtedly, every villager goes through transformation of sorts. This is true for the man who entered comedy business under the moniker – Mshamba.
His character, initially built around a man who had just arrived from the village to the big city, has stuck in many people’s minds that some even laugh when he says his name is James Chanji Wamukoya.
The mention of the name brings back memories of the late 1990s when he first hit the comedy scene.
James Wamukoya at Radio Maisha studios where he is a presenter. |
Since then, things have changed and so has the trade.
Despite his success, critics are of the opinion Mshamba has been on the low for a while now. Others even think he quit comedy as a result of dwindled fortunes for another job.
Speaking to The Standard on Saturday, the comedian who also doubles up as a presenter with Radio Maisha’s breakfast show alongside Esther Ingolo and Alex Mwakideo said comedy remains a big part of his career.
"I was born a comedian and nothing has changed," he says.
He says he is working on a project to ‘restore the glory of stand up comedy’.
"I am concerned by the present status of stand up comedy. It is lacking in content," says Mshamba.
According to him, the monthly project to be held at Kenya National Theatre will boost stand up performance besides nurturing scriptwriters.
"As a comedian, there comes a time when you run out of ideas and need support, it is therefore important to nurture comedy script writers. This is one way to keep the chain flowing," he says.
Mshamba says he with others is in the process of negotiating a television show.
"This should come soon because the scripts are ready," he says.
A word of caution though: "Comedians should not run on TV before they take their time to come up with a good production that is sustainable."
He cites examples of celebrated American comedians Chris Rock and Eddy Murphy who, he says, take years before they go live on television with hit shows.
The brains behind various comedy shows
Mshamba is credited as one of the pioneers of local comedy who have played a big role in revolutionising local laughter industry.
The artiste began acting at the age of 12 before going professional. He is the brain behind the once popular comedy group ‘Publik Noisemakers’ that came up with Who’s Stupid Now show, In tru kalas.
‘Publik Noisemakers’ initiated in 1999 until 2004 comprised a group of three – James Sangoro aka Sherrif and Kariuki Thige aka JB currently on Tabasamu TV show and himself.
He says through ‘Who’s Stupid Now’ show that was hosted at Kenya National Theatre that featured various comedians including Churchill, Papa Shirandula, Njoro, Otoyo and Nyengese comedy came to TV.
"I am happy of the role we played in shaping comedy," he says.
The idea of ‘Public Noisemakers’ was born in 1999 during a Matata Vibe Talent search competition held at Impala, Ngong Road.
His alter ego Mshamba in action. Photos: Pius Cheruyoit/Standard |
"The grand event featured the likes of raga singers Redsan, Ndarlin’ P and Uganda’s Chameleon and Bebe Cool among others," he says.
Mshamba recalls they did not have the Sh200 entrance fee that was required and they ‘talked their way in’.
"To make matters worse, we had no costumes or a name for the group yet we were determined to participate in the competition," he says.
Lady luck was on their side because they won the top prize for Best Entertainers in general. They also won a cash prize of Sh50,000.
"This was the start our breakthrough because we landed gigs from various companies from East Africa," he says.
In 2002, In Tru Kalas was initiated. It also featured various comedians like Kajairo, Papa Shirandula, Mdomo Baggy, Churchill, Otoyo and Njoro just to name a few.
It was also during the same time that he picked Mshamba as a stage name – which aired as part of ‘Intru Kalass’.
"Like the saying goes, you can remove a man from the village but not the village in him," he says of his character.
One of his most memorable acts was when a conman sold a city clock to him.
"I gave him the money but the problem was how I would even take it home," he says.
Mshamba quit after six months after he landed a lucrative contract with Unicef in Uganda to train peer educators on participatory theatre as a mode of communication. His departure spelt the death of the ‘Publik Noisemakers’ shows.
When he came back from Uganda, the group had folded and he looked for a job at a radio station.
Besides, Mshamba has also worked as a consultant with various radio stations in Western Province. While a Class Five pupil at St Augustine Butunyi, Busia, he was active in school drama and music festival and the church.
"My first role was that of a mad man. I always got the parts where a funny character was required," he says laughing.
With time, his love for acting grew and after he graduated to Apostle of Jesus Seminary School in Kiserian, he set up a drama club for the first time that saw them reach the provincial level. The acting moment was short lived since the school banned the drama club.
"I was disappointed but got another chance after joining Aga Khan High where I was elected the drama and entertainment prefect," he says.
During his tenure, he led the school in winning several awards besides scooping the award for Best Actor in 1998 at the provincial level. His script won several awards. Besides acting skills, he has studied Mass Communication. He is the seventh born in a family of eight. He is married and has a daughter.
The comedian also does charity work and with a former street boy Juma Mwangi has rehabilitated and set up Hope For Street Families centre in Huruma, Nairobi.
"I am also working with gospel artiste Rufftone among other artistes to see how we can raise funds to help this group set up income generating initiative," he says.
His last word: "When you are blessed spread the blessings to the needy."
In future, he plans to enrol for a degree in marketing and venture into professional events management.
