Ondiek fondly remembers Gibson Gathu 'Prosecutor'

 A collage of Ondiek Nyuka Kwota and the late Gibson Gathu.

It is exactly one year since Kenya lost one of her most talented actors, Gibson Gathu, who played Prosecutor in the local TV series Vioja Mahakamani.

The late Gathu underwent a kidney transplant in mid-2022 and revealed to this writer that he was eager to go back to doing what he did best, acting.

However, this was not meant to be as he rested on December 22, 2022.

Hiram Mungai aka Ondiek Nyuka Kwota was Gathu’s close friend and on Saturday, December 23, 2023, recalled how the demise of his cast mate dealt a blow to the local entertainment scene.

“It was in the early hours of 22nd December 2022 when Gibson Gathu Mbugua aka prosecutor, my brother, friend & colleague was promoted to glory, hence it's exactly one year since his demise.

“Fondly remembered & missed by your beloved wife, children, grandchildren & the vioja mahakamani fraternity. Continue flying with the angels till we meet again. R.i.p,” he wrote.

In his last conversation with this writer, Gathu urged the current crop of entertainers to plan well, save and invest to ensure a decent living for their offspring.

He advised them not to mix work and pleasure as the fame is often short-lived and the same people who gas them up on social media are the ones who will troll them when things go south.

"The entertainment industry is very dynamic and unlike our time, there is more money nowadays. You might be tempted to move to an upmarket estate after landing your first gig.

"Eat some but save some. We were taught that if you cannot manage Sh5 then even Sh5million will be a problem," he said.

Adding: "Most of us have a fallback plan because we invested."

May his soul rest in peace.