Churchill's chilling encounter

For the past one week, comedian Daniel Ndambuki has been in the media glare after a sophisticated group of shadowy characters apparently lured him into a seemingly orchestrated illicit romantic den.He spoke to DAVID ODONGOIt’s a few minutes past midnight and standing outside Carnivore Restaurant, the chilly Nairobi cold bites to the bone. I am waiting for my editor, CEO, who has gone in to have a private conversation with Churchill before I interview him. I look at the cars driving by. Ecstatic faces of fans who have just for the past four hours, been at the Churchill Live Show. And for sure, they don’t look disappointed. A few minutes later, as I stand, shuddering despite my heavy sweater, CEO comes back, with the comedian in tow.Daniel Ndambuki aka Churchill the comedian, is not laughing. His ever-smiling face is taut with a worrying grimace. He says hi to me and tries to smile, but his eyes betray him as I can notice the languid, forlorn look. We head into Simba Saloon and the comedian leads us into a corner. He settles into the farthest corner, as if trying to hide himself under the cover of dim lighting in the place."What would you do if you found a man with your wife?" he asks timidly. "There would be a fight" I reply without any hesitation. "Yes," he says, then shifts a little to the edge of the seat. "That’s exactly what any man would do, not ask for money," he adds. For a man who has worked hard for 15 years to be the most recognised comedian in the country, the emotional and psychological strain of the past one-week is clearly taking toll on him. The last few days, rumours in blogs and social network sites have gone into overdrive, with different speculations on Churchill’s moral misdemeanour. ChurchillOthers state he was caught in a compromising situation with a ‘married’ woman while others say the comedian is being blackmailed by a group of highly sophisticated unscrupulous shadowy foreigners. But the comedian doesn’t want to confirm or deny anything. He draws his black leather jacket tighter around him and says: "The matter is under investigations and I know the truth will eventually come out," he adds.great careerHe shifts uneasily in his seat and asks if we have seen the alleged incriminating photos. We reply in the affirmative."I have worked so hard for 15 years to try and make it in comedy. A thing like this can bring everything tumbling down. I don’t know if some people would be happy to see me nikienda kuchunga mbuzi nyumbani because my career is ruined" he says this with so much emotion in his voice that I try to avoid his eyes. I look down and fidget with my notebook. Churchill himself is not settled. His hands are busy fiddling around with the saltshaker and toothpick holder. At that moment, Dzorro, Churchill Live producer walks in and grabs a seat. "Is everything alright?’ he asks the comedian as his gaze settles on me, assessing me with a stern, icy glare."Sisi tuko sawa," says the comedian before he introduces me. Dzorro relaxes and after discussing the night’s live show with Churchill, gets up and walks away."It’s not easy. Today, I had over 1,300 fans that came for tonight’s show, and I could see question marks in their eyes. I know somebody would have wanted me to clarify the rumours doing rounds," whispers Churchill as he draws closer and adds, "The hard part is how do you tell your wife that this and that happened and be prepared because it will be in the media." He says as a pained look comes to his face."Churchill is a brand that I have worked on for so long. And it can be so unfair for somebody to drag my name into such unsavoury situation. God will see me through, and the truth one day, will come out, for all to see and judge for themselves," he says bitterly. Ever a comedian, Churchill mimicking a Swahili newsreader says: "Mchekezaji mashuhuri aliyekuwa akibobea kwenye ulingo wa vitimbi, siku hizi yumo nyumbani akilisha mbuzi. Mchekezaji huyo, ambaye duru zakuaminika zasema kwamba…" he stops as we all laugh. Dark humour.poor judgementBut where does the truth lie? Churchill intimates that he had known the woman in question for more than a year. The woman is said to work for an investment company that handles the comedian’s finances. ChurchillThe person handling your money is probably the one you trust most and you keep close, common sense dictates. The woman invited the comedian to her place and harbouring no ill motives, Churchill went, accompanied by a male friend. What ever transpired from there is only known between Churchill, the girl and Churchill’s friend. What we know is that a man stormed in, with several photographers who took snaps at the comedian next to the woman, who had stripped naked. The man is alleged to have now been using the pictures to blackmail the comedian into paying him colossal sums of money or else, he releases the photos."That’s one thing I will not do. I will not pay anybody to hide what is false about me. God will see me through this. My consolation is, it could have been worse, and from this situation, I ask myself, which lessons have I learnt and what haven’t I learnt?" he says.Born Dan Ndambuki in Machakos District, the comic has come a long way to fame, money and stardom. A creative comedian, an extremely capable thespian, a theatre director and producer, Churchill is also a powerfully witty radio presenter.With a fresh style and clean humour, Church has in the past few years revolutionised the Kenyan comedy scene. Churchill’s star started shining brightly when he appeared in Redykyulass, a funny television comedy that satired politics and Kenyans peculiar way of life. Acting alongside Walter Mong’are (Nyambane), Peter Kaimenyi (Kajairo) Maurice Otieno (Mdomo Baggy) John Kiarie (KJ) and Tony Njuguna, Ndambuki gained necessary skills that a few years later, saw him host his own successful live TV show, Churchill Live. The show has an online fan base of over 200,000 fans on Facebook, which demonstrates his popularity in social media. Accolades have also followed the comic’s rise as he won two Chaguo La Teeniez Awards this year. Last year saw Ndambuki win Best Comedy programme, Theatre Person of the Year and Best TV programme overall at The Kalasha Awards. He also won the Best Narrator at the 1999 Mavuno Awards.script writerThe Churchill Live features guests from versatile spheres of society, blended with stand —up comedy from Ndambuki himself as well as guest upcoming and established comedians.Having started gaining inroads into the industry, Ndambuki worked with a theatre group, Heartstrings Kenya. He has also written many hilarious scripts including most recently critically acclaimed play, The 43rd Kenyan tribe. Other plays penned by the multi— talented comedian include This Is Kenya, Dare Kenyans To Love and Let Kenyans be Kenyans.In bid to support up and coming comedians, Churchill launched the first and only national comedy star search ‘The Top Comic’.As for the predicament that Ndambuki has found himself in, what can’t kill him, will definitely make him stronger and as he says, the truth will finally come out.

Churchill's chilling encounter

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