Former Tausi actor, Suleiman Mwaronga is well and happy, contrary to earlier media reports.
His son and former colleagues have denied claims that the 82-year-old reached out to President Uhuru and Governor Joho for help.
“Some people came here, introduced themselves as respectable journalists and then put words in my mouth,” claims Mwaronga who is best remembered for his role as Mlahaka or Bwana Mkubwa in the Tausi TV series.
The veteran actor told The Nairobian that he suffers from age-related ailments, but his family is capable of taking care of him.
When Mwaronga’s cast mates saw the social media post, they reached out to their colleague whose plight had quickly become fodder for social media debate.
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Led by Amina Wanjiku who played the character of Rukia in Tausi, they held an emergency meeting and sent a delegation to Mwaronga’s home.
“Five of us travelled to Mombasa, only to find Mwaronga at his son’s house in Bamburi,” Rukia said.
Mwaronga stays in Mtongwe where some locals claim that the mzee has been neglected and was only cleaned up after the ‘expose’.
“Mzee had no caretaker and was almost starving,” a resident told The Nairobian, a charge Rukia and the family have vehemently denied.
Swaleh, Mwaronga’s son says he does not need anyone to remind him to take care of his father and that, “We renovated his house in Mtongwe and he is always welcome here.”
Rukia added, “You know how stubborn these old people can get. Those spreading rumours are just tarnishing Swaleh’s name, but he’s doing his best to help his father.”
Mzee Suleiman, a resident of Kwale has featured in several TV shows making him a TV legend alongside the likes of the late Mzee Ojwang’.
In fact, the post that went viral on social media was comparing Mzee Mwaronga’s plight with that of Mzee Ojwang’s and how he lacked support at the time of need.
Mwaronga was in Lea Mwana and Zingatia as Mzee Zogo. He was in Tushauriane as Isaiah before he took up a leading role in Tausi.
He claims they were not paid well unlike actors of today, but they never quit because they loved what they were doing.
“I would be happy to act even today if I was offered a role,” he said.
He also said that throughout his career, he has never parted ways with his son.
“We have always been close, whether living together or not,” Mwaronga said.
