Njoro’s final farewell to Papa Shirandula moves Kenyans

Kenneth Gichoya alias 'Njoro' bidding farewell to actor Charles Bukeko alias 'Papa Shirandula' [Photo: Courtesy]


A picture showing Kenneth Gichoya, popularly known as Njoro, bidding farewell to his late friend Charles Bukeko alias Papa Shirandula has moved Kenyans.

The two whose chemistry could not be denied on Citizen TV sitcom Papa Shirandula came a long way from days of acting in public shows.

After Papa’s big break, he recommended Kenneth to cast in his show where he gradually built the character ‘Njoro’ who is always hiding from his furious wife Wafirethi.

Before landing his big break, Njoro did acting at the Kenya National Theatre after he completed his KCSE and later joined drama school where he graduated as a certified professional actor.

Bukeko died on Saturday morning at a Nairobi hospital a few days after he tested positive for Covid-19.

His body arrived in Busia County at 3 am on Monday escorted by two buses ferrying mourners. In line with the Covid-19 containment regulations, the mourners were received by health officials, screened and prevented from interacting with the locals.

Bukeko was buried in a brief burial ceremony under high security at his Busia home where mourners were immediately asked to leave the compound after the ceremony ended.

He will be remembered for his hilarious stunts of playing the lead role of a watchman in Papa Shirandula and later on landing major deals in commercial adverts as well as the happy face of Kenyan comedy for many decades.