Comedian Consumator: I used to hawk books

A shy boy growing up, Peter Wamwea still doesn't believe he can stand in front of a crowd and make them laugh. He talks to SYLVIA WAKHISI about overcoming shyness, hawking books and getting into comedy

That’s quite a unique name. ‘Consumator’ of all names?

People should note that I do not consume anything strange nor eat too much, and you can attest to that because of my slender body. Rather, I consume people through comedy. I earned that name when I was studying at Daystar University. I happened to write and perform a poem called “My Dearest Consumator” which made me ‘famous’ among my fellow students, that’s how Consumator was born. But my real name is Peter Wamwea.

You are a fast-rising comedian due to your unique forte. Have you always wanted to be in comedy?

Haaaa, you may not believe it but I used to be very shy and never imagined myself standing in front of a large audience. It still feels like a dream. I was the kind of boy who would lock himself indoors and talk little. Whenever I went to church, I would give someone my offering so that, as they moved to the front, they could give it out for me. I feared crowds.

So how did you become a comedian?

My parents and siblings are always shocked when they see me on TV because they never imagined I could overcome my shyness and stand in front of people.

So when and how did your breakthrough into the industry come?

I was accompanying a friend to some auditions for a local comedy show. That was in 2008. As I sat there watching and listening, I thought to myself that it was not my thing. Then I heard the creative director say that he wanted someone who could do a poem for the next show, which was to focus on Valentine’s Day. I quickly said I had one and went on to perform “My Dearest Consumator”. He loved it and the entire team agreed that I would be the person to perform the poem. My poems used to be very funny. Soon after, I started writing scripts for comedy. And that’s how it all started.

Wow, talk of sheer luck. That must have come easy for you.

No. My life has been a struggle. The far I have come I owe it to God. I am from a humble background. I was born and bred in a village in Murang’a. I am the fourth born in a family of six siblings. By God’s grace, I went to high school at Murang’a High. I loved writing and started writing a book about myself. I even borrowed Sh2,000 from my dad to travel to Nairobi in search of a publisher. I met one David Waweru who invited me for a writers’ workshop and it is from that workshop that I met lecturers from Daystar University who advised me to apply for a course there. They later sent me a letter of admission. I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about it since my parents couldn’t afford to pay for my fees.

That must have been hard for you.

Yes. I used to hawk books. I have lived in slums such as Soweto and Mukuru kwa Njenga just to make ends meet. With the help of some well-wishers and an additional amount from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), I registered for my first semester to study Community Development. However, due to school fees problems, it took me seven years to graduate. I will forever be indebted to one lecturer who came to my rescue and paid my fees in my final two years.

Has being in the comedy changed your life and how different is ‘Consumator’ from other comedians?

I am a born-again comedian. I must say that the way you package yourself is important. You need to have a well-laid-out plan. In the beginning you have to struggle but once you become a brand, comedy starts paying for you. It’s a career like any other.

How do you come up with your jokes?

I research a lot. As a comedian, you have to keep yourself relevant. Comedy is not about looking funny. It’s about the script which takes ten per cent, while how you perform takes 90 per cent.

Are you married?

Not yet. But I am dating.