Everyone knows him. Everyone knows the lanky, black no-nonsense man who rarely laughed but tickled the ribs of millions of Kenyans every week. Who has never heard his shrill war cry when he was cross with his “TV wife” Mama Kayai?
Truth is Mzee Ojwang’ Hatari is a household name. Sadly, the man who has filled every home (with television set) with laughter for over three decades is no more. The man, who is billed as the father of Kenyan comedy, died on Sunday evening of pneumonia.
Ojwang’, whose real name is Benson Wanjau (many find it hard to believe he was not Luo), who was born in 1937, featured in slapstick comedy Vitimbi and the court drama, Vioja Mahakamani, both KBC programmes.
Augusta Wanjiru, the wife (Mama Kayai was only his ‘TV wife’) of the late Mzee Ojwang' narrated to The Standard the last days of her husband’s life.
“Since his eye surgery, he has been well but on Monday he was not feeling very well and he vomited. Nothing happened for the rest of the week until Saturday night when he complained of stomach and chest pains. We took him to hospital on Sunday where he was diagnosed with pneumonia only to pass away around 8pm in the evening,” she said.
great father
Wanjiru said she would forever miss his great company.
She praised the late artiste for being a great father to their children and a great grandfather, adding that he was kind and a “people’s person”.
His daughter Patricia Njeri said she would miss her father who always made them laugh even at home. Ojwang’s body, which was lying at Kenyatta National Hospital Mortuary, was moved to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi.
Performing artistes, most of who worked with Ojwang', flocked his home to console his family.
The artistes led by Mama Kayai (her real name is Mary Kabere) expressed their sadness at the passing of Ojwang’.
They lamented that Kenyans and the Government had forsaken the great comedian at his moment of need.
“It is sad that Mzee Ojwang’ has passed away but what pains me more is the fact that when we asked for people or even the Government to come to his rescue, no one did.
Now he is gone. He has died without having met and talked to the one person he wanted to talk to the most - the President,” Ms Kabere said. “He is gone and we are very saddened,” she said as she sat together with other colleagues.
Hiram Mungai, known as Ondiek Nyuka Akuota, said the passing of his colleague had left a huge gap in their lives and the future was bleak for artistes without the father figure.
“We are orphaned and it is time to brace for a life without Mzee Ojwang’. It is unimaginable,” he said.
Other artistes who visited Ojwang’s home included Gibson Mbugua, once the Vioja Mahakamani ‘Prosecutor’ and Lucy Wangui, the judge in the same show.
“You cannot write the history of comedy in Kenya without Mzee Ojwang’. The Government has failed. The Vitimbi team was sent home with nothing despite the years they served. I have known Ojwang' for the last 40 years and I can say he inspired me to get into the performing arts industry,” said Mr Mbugua.
He added: “I do not think the President intentionally refused to meet Ojwang' and other artistes. I believe the people around him do not tell him the truth about the plight of artistes in the country.”
But President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday said that he had been hoping to meet Ojwang’ soon.
The President who led other leaders in mourning the great artiste, wrote on his Facebook page that he was saddened by the death, and said Ojwang had lived a full life of great artistic accomplishment.
“His role as Mzee Ojwang' is unforgettable and iconic. His devotion to that character and role was exemplary. I looked forward to socialising with Mzee Ojwang' and other artistes during the opening of the refurbished National Theatre.
“My sadness is greater for the knowledge that this will not happen. On behalf of my Government and the people of Kenya, I extend words of comfort, encouragement and condolence to the family, colleagues and friends of Mzee Wanjau.”
Former President Daniel arap Moi also mourned the comedian describing him as an entertainment legend. Moi said he learned of the death with deep sorrow and a sense of loss.
“I personally knew Ojwang’ for decades as a man with an indepth understanding of social issues which he presented with edgy humour and witticism. He aroused hearty laughter even amongthe most cynical. I thoroughly enjoyed his performances,” he said.
The former President recalled that Ojwang’s gait, tone and facial expressions provided comic relief to a society grappling with everyday challenges.
“Now that Ojwang’ is no more, his fans will realise what a big asset he was in the field of comedy,” he said.
In a statement sent through his Press Secretary Lee Njiru, Moi prayed to God to give the bereaved family courage to bear the loss.
The leader of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy also sent his message of condolences. He said the challenge now will be to determine how Ojwang' will be honoured and how to ensure that those who take up from where he has left do better than him.
“Even in the toughest of times, when acting and entertainment could have consequences, Mzee Ojwan'g navigated the straight narrow path skillfully to deliver laughter to our citizens,” Raila Odinga said.
Musalia Mudavadi, the Amani Party leader, said Ojwang’s death had robbed the country of an entertainment icon and a mentor to many Kenyan comedians.
“I mourn the personal loss as Wanjau was constant at the annual Vihiga Cultural Festival which he graced with his Vitimbi colleagues,” he said.
Culture and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Warioalso mourned the great artiste. “He also inspired many upcoming artistes to go into comedy and will be missed by many Kenyans especially those in the entertainment industry,” he said.
Stand Up comedian George Mbuto described Ojwang' as an icon of Kenyan TV and an inspiration to all. Veteran radio journalist John Obong’o Junior remembered Ojwang' as a man who gave it all and served his people well.
The social media was awash with messages of condolences and also criticism of the Government for leaving hard working Kenyans to die poor due to abuse of their intellectual property.
