Formed in the early 2000s, the Redykyulass comedy group gained popularity and established itself as the heart of comedy in Kenya.
Redykyulass was created by two Kenyatta University students and an employee at the institution but was later joined by other comedians who set the pace for the current comedy industry and stars.
Tony Njuguna, then a junior staff at KU, partnered with two-degree students Walter Mong’are alias Nyambane and John Kiarie popularly known as KJ to start the comedy show.
The crew started by mimicking President Daniel Arap Moi before incorporating President Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Other comedians such as Daniel ‘Churchill’ Ndambuki and ‘Mdomo Baggy’ Maurice Ochieng also used the show to make a name in the comedy world.
However, the group disintegrated after almost ten years and the comedians pursued their personal goals separately.
First Redykyulass Crew Members
Tony Njuguna, Walter Mong’are and John Kiarie were the pioneers of the famous Redykyulass comedy group.
1.Tony Njuguna
Tony Njuguna was among the founders of Redykyulass and he played the role of Mwai Kibaki.
He currently serves as the Creative Director at WPP-Scan Group, an African marketing services agency.
Since leaving the crew, Njuguna has maintained a private life despite making several appearances on Churchill Live Show.
He has also been a judge in several shows including Top Comic, all of which create opportunities for future comedians.
2.Walter Mong’are
Nyambane played the role of President Moi, and his outstanding mimicking earned him fame and later landed him jobs in various state agencies since leaving the crew.
He joined Kiss 100 and served as co-host of the morning show with popular radio presenter, Caroline Mutuko.
Nyambane later worked as the Group Head of Radio Services at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
He was appointed as the Communication Director for Kisii County Government before moving to Nairobi County in the same capacity in May 2014.
He was later suspended from his position in May 2016 when he failed to submit his credentials including academic credentials, HELB clearance form and certificate of good conduct but was reinstated in August the same year.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta named Nyambane as the Director and Youth Advisor in 2017.
He served in the Jubilee government from 2017 to February 2022 when he resigned to vie for the presidency.
Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati cleared Nyambane as the first presidential aspirant in May 2022.
However, Chebukati revoked his clearance certificate a few days later after he obtained new information regarding Nyambane’s academic qualifications.
He was appointed as the Director of Programmes at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary until April 4, 2024, when he was fired.
3.John Kiarie (KJ)
Dagoretti South Member of Parliament John Kiarie then known as KJ acted as Moi’s sidekick and served as the director of redykulass crew.
Kiarie worked as a teacher at State House Girls and later moved to become a journalist and columnist at Nation Media Group (NMG).
Between 2008 and 2011, KJ served as an art director at Ogilvy Africa and a communications consultant at Scanad Group.
KJ also served as a director at the Athi River Water Services Board from 2008 to 2011.
He was elected to parliament in 2017 through a Jubilee Party ticket and retained his position in the 2022 elections.
Also Read: Where Are They Now? Former Health Cabinet Secretaries
4.Churchill
Daniel Ndambuki, popularly known as Churchill joined the comedy scene in 1995 but broke into the limelight in the Redykyulass group.
Churchill launched Churchill Live under the company name Laughter Industry in September 2008, but it was later renamed Churchill Show in 2012.
The show which featured on NTV gained popularity in Kenya, East and Central Africa.
Churchill Show also attracted viewership from people in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Germany, and other parts of the world.
The show has also nurtured several comedians including Eric Omondi, Sammy Kioko, Mwalimu Tom, MCA Tricky, Professor Hammo, Chipukeezy, Mammito Eunice, Nasra Yusuf, Comedian YY, Eddie Butita among others.
However, in March 2022 the comedian moved the Churchill Show from NTV to TV47.
Also Read: Where Are They Now: Former Africa Union Commission Chairpersons
He has also established the Churchill Academy which managed to mentor more than 70 comedians through Churchill Raw which aired every Thursday on NTV.
He was named as the brand ambassador of TuKo news app in 2021.
Churchill is currently as co-host breakfast show alongside Maina Kageni at Classic 105 FM.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba appointed Churchill as the chair of the Creatives Technical Committee formed in February 2023 under the Talanta Hela Initiative.
The committee was mandated to manage the National Creatives Awards and ensure the collection and distribution of royalties to all creatives.
5.Peter Kaimenyi
Peter Kaimenyi, popularly known as Kajairo also bounced to the limelight through the Redykyulass comedy group.
He developed a new strategy of composing parodies of songs that are being used up to date.
Kajairo continued with his parody comedy when he joined Churchill Show alongside Padi Wubonn.
He worked as an executive producer at NTV’s show Pranksters between 2013 and 2015.
The comedian vied for the Embakasi East MP seat but lost to ODM candidate Babu Owino.
6.Mdomo Baggy
Maurice Ochieng, known by his stage name, Mdomo Baggy, gained fame for his portrayal of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the Redykyulass show.
He premiered in his own TV Show called “Baggy” which had a brief stint but showcased his unique style of humor.
Mdomo has also been in stand-up comedy and served as master of ceremony (MC) in national events.
He contested for the Kamukunji parliamentary seat in the 2007 generals but lost.
He tried again in 2013 but lost in the ODM nominations.
Mdomo currently serves in the ODM communications team acting as MC in most of the party’s events.
He was key in Raila’s 2022 campaigns and also played a key role in mobilizing supporters during the anti-government demonstrations with his words.
