Veteran comedian James Wamukoya Chanji popularly known as Mshamba Zebedayo has announced a comeback to TV after a two-year break from the comedy industry.
The 39-yearold veteran who also worked at Royal Media Services, has revealed that pressure from fans including world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge, has forced him to return to the screens.
In an exclusive interview with Tuko.co.ke, the TV Magharibi and Sasa Radio boss confessed that he has missed being on TV but plans are underway to finalise the comeback, acknowledging the fans for the love.
‘Even during my break, my fans have been getting in touch with me, asking when our next season is coming and recently during the Soya Awards in Kakamega County, World Marathon Record holder Eliud Kipchoge piled more pressure on me to bring the Mshamba show back,” said Mshamba.
WHAT ABOUT! Mshamba with Greatest of all times himself kipchoge keino. Kumbe pia yeye ni shabiki wa mshamba show….what about…hivi karibuni new season loading. pic.twitter.com/bU5rcJbePB
— Mshamba (@MshambaKenya) January 27, 2022
Mshamba also explained that he used the break to set up both TV Magharibi and Sasa Radio, the stations he run in Western Kenya, Nyanza and parts of Rift Valley.
“I have been busy laying structures for the radio and tv and I believe I have done enough to now come back and put smiles on the faces of my fans.”
Mshamba, who has been in the entertainment industry for nearly two decades, also regretted the sudden demise of his childhood friend, the late Charles “Papa Shirandula” Bukeko who passed away early last year due to what was believed to be Covid-19.
Mshamba Fact File
Education
The funnyman attended Township Primary School and later joined St Augustine Primary School from classes 4-8, both in Busia county. He went on to attend a seminary school in Kiserian to study priesthood but quit after a year. After this brief dalliance with priesthood, the comedian joined Aga Khan High School. After his O-levels, he studied a course in Business Administration and Mass Communication at Air Travel and Tours College.
Blossoming as a comedian
The veteran comedian is credited with playing a big role in “revolutionising the local laughter industry”, as the Standard newspaper put it. He formed the comedy group ‘Publik Noisemakers’-together with James Sangoro aka Sherrif and Kariuki Thige aka JB –that came up with Who’s Stupid Now show, In Tru Kalas that was hugely popular in the 90s.
Radio presenter
Away from TV, the comedian has made a name for himself as a radio presenter. He worked at Radio Maisha before moving to Sasa Radio in 2019.
Supporting the less fortunate
He is the patron of Hope for Street Families Rehab Centre in Huruma. The institution has rehabilitated over 200 children through a number of projects.
Career Path
Mshamba’s career path was well identifiable when he was quite young. In an interview with EveWoman, the actor narrated how he started acting while he was only ten years. The then class Five pupil took a role of a mad man in a class play that no one wanted to touch. He went on to do skits in churches, weddings and harambees.
His love for acting had to take a back seat-but not for long-when he joined the Apostles of Jesus Seminary in Kiserian. He was to become a Catholic priest if not for doing what he called “setting up a drama club.” According to the actor, the club became a success and girls in urban schools started noticing them.
Family
The comedian is married to Nancy Chanji and has two children aged thirteen and nine The couple lost one of the twins during childbirth, throwing her wife into depression. The comedian told Heads Up in 2014 of the tragic event.
“My wife is very traumatised but she has been going through a lot of counseling. She will be fine with time,” he said.
(Additional info courtesy of WhoOwnsKenya.Com)