Mwas’ full life

Within a span of five months Joseph Kimani Wairimu (28) has won two major awards, thanks to his role as Mwas in the Oscar-nominated film Nairobi Half Life, Shirley Genga writes

Pulse: Last Saturday you scooped the coveted Kalasha Award for the Best Lead Actor in a movie. What’s your reaction?

Joseph: I am speechless. I feel so honoured to be recognised at home.

 

P: It is your second major award in a row...

J: Yes. In July, I won Best Actor in my lead role in Nairobi Half Life, at the 33rd Durban International Film Festival.

 

P: The Durban award was quite a major feat, owing to the fact that you had been lined up against major acts...

J: When I went through the catalogue and saw the big Hollywood names I had been nominated alongside like Chris Rock, Antony Hopkins, Lionel Newton and Jude Law, I was very humbled. I made history as the first Kenyan to win the award.

 

P: Your film has also been selected to represent Kenya at the Oscars. Are you looking forward to this?

J: Definitely.

 

P: When you first got the spot in Nairobi Half Life, did you think the role would make such an impact?

J: I was thrilled by how the story was written. It was my first lead role in a feature film. I felt pressure to totally deliver, especially being around all these apprentices like Tom Tickwer. However, I never thought it would end up at the Oscars.

 

P: How does your role in the film relate to your own life experience?

J: Mwas in Nairobi Half Life represented not only my dream, but also the dreams of Kenyan actors who want to carve a better life for themselves despite the existing challenges.

 

P: Tell us a bit about your childhood?

J: I was raised in Mathare by a single mum (Kiana Wairimu). I come from a family of four boys and three girls. I am the last-born. I enjoyed my childhood because where I lived there was this unique family bond, friendship and virtues that we shared.

 

P: When did you begin acting?

J: I began acting in primary school and in secondary school, I joined drama club. One of the plays I did in high school was Cyclones in which I played the lead role of Eddy. We competed to the provincial level. I have also featured in the award-winning Kibera Kid and Ndoto za Elibidi.

 

P: You helped to start a youth group in Mathare...

J: The mere mention of Mathare used to elicit fear and people would quickly dissociate with us. We formed Uprising Youth Group to tackle the vices in our neighbourhood. Our vision was to use drama to tackle crime, drug abuse, rape and prostitution among many other vices.

 

P: Which schools did you attend?

J: I went to Kiboro Primary School and later to St Teresa’s High School. I did a Media Lab diploma at the Nairobi School of Design in 2006. In 2007, I did a certificate course at the Shang Tao Media Arts College in Nairobi. I am currently pursuing a diploma in Information Technology at the Institute of Advanced Technology.

 

P: You get female attention now that you have become quite the celebrity, right?

J: They are part of my fans and I appreciate their support and the support of everyone else.

 

P: Are you dating?

J: I am married and very blessed.

 

P: Do you have children?

J: I do not want to talk about my family (smiles).

 

P: How long have you been married?

J: For a while, that is all I will say. I do not like to talk about my personal life. I feel I need to protect that part of me.

 

P: What projects are you currently working on?

J: I am working on a new film Ni Sisi. It is a film about peace. The film is by Sponsored Arts for Education.

 

P: Besides acting, what do you do?

J: I work part-time with Anno’s Africa and One Fine Day. We train and work with kids on art and drama.