Man mimics late Homabay Senator Otieno Kajwang' to celebrate his life

The 'Mapambano' anthem reinvented by the late Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang' has become a subject of comical mimicry by a Kisumu-based comedian Lawrence Oyange.

Oyange, known by his stage name Ja-Kakamega is a breakfast show host and comedian at the Kisumu based Radio Nam Lolwe.

In an interview with The Standard, Onyange said he suffered a double tragedy on the day Kajwang' died since it was also the day his father, Cosmas Oyange passed on. His father's body is still lying at Star Hospital Mortuary in Kisumu.

Despite this, sorrow has not dampened Oyange's spirits nor quelled his desire to thrill fans with performances that reignite memories of the late senator.

Clad in a fedora, a checked coat, shirt and khaki trousers, Ja-Kakamega walks along the streets of Kisumu town with a fly-whisk in one hand and a newspaper in the other. He mimics almost everything about Kajwang' from his walking style to voice.

"Kajwang is the easiest politician to mimic. There is no better way to celebrate him than recall what he did while defending what he believed in throughout his political career," Ja-Kakamega said.

He added: "I often serve as master of ceremony at a number of political functions in the region. Kajwang' was my favourite. I loved his humour and charisma. His death has dealt the people of Nyanza a major blow."

While mimicking the late Kajwang', Ja-Kakamega answers a critical question: "What next, where will the Homa Bay senator go to after his journey on earth ended suddenly last week?"

The comedian puts Kajwang' in an heavenly setting, where he is sitting with the angels but unbowed he chants the 'Bado Mapambano' rendition and urges them not to sleep. They must be vigilant since moles who threaten the party's existence are still around. He even dares them not to joke with ODM.

HEAVENLY SEAT

"Kajwang' will sit in heaven and become the choir master of all angels. He is not dead. His spirit is still alive," Oyange says.

The comedian attended Kisumu Boys High School where he discovered his talent for comedy. After school, he went to Mombasa and worked for Baraka FM while also doing stand-up comedy.

In 2006, he returned to Kisumu and served at Radio Lake Victoria as a radio presenter for three years before shifting camp to Radio Nam Lolwe.

He is currently a journalism student at a Kisumu based college and dabbles in event management as a side hustle when he is not working.