Kenya's parody pioneers, Kajairo, Eric Omondi, Redykyulass,Padi Wubonn & Fred Omondi

Kenya has seen a surge of immensely talented parody comedians who have not only made waves but have also made a lasting impact on the entertainment scene.

These comedians brilliantly use satire, mimicry, and witty commentary to provide a fresh perspective on everyday situations, public figures, and societal norms which leaves their audiences in stitches.

Today the likes of Dogo Charlie have emerged to be among the top parody creators in the country taking over from pioneers like Kajairo.

In this article, we look at comedians who established themselves as parody mavericks and left long-lasting marks using that style.

Redykyulass

They are undoubtedly among the pioneers of comedy in Kenya. Comprising a trio of incredibly talented comedians—Tony Njuguna, Walter Mong'are (commonly known as Nyambane), and John Kiarie (popularly called KJ)—Redykyulass were a staple of Kenyan comedy for years.

Their comedy often revolved around satirical commentary on the country's political and social landscape. The group's name, a clever play on the word 'ridiculous,' was a fitting choice for their brand of humour.

Through a variety of characters and sketches, they fearlessly tackled pressing issues, lampooned politicians, and poked fun at societal norms.

Redykyulass comedy crew of John Kiarie, Walter Mong’are and Tony Njuguna Pulse Live Kenya

READ: Tony Njuguna reveals how Kibaki saved Redykyulass crew from arrest after 2007 skit

Whether it was imitating political figures, exploring societal characters, or simply creating funny moments, Redykyulass had a unique way of making their audience laugh while also making them think.

Redykyulass's individual members have today ventured into various endeavours outside comedy.

Yet, their legacy as a groundbreaking comedy group endures, and their influence on Kenya's comedy scene remains palpable.

Kajairo

Peter Kaimenyi aka Kajairo surfaced almost two decades ago under the wings of Redykyulass.

He made parodies of songs which drew him even closer to the audience. Kajairo’s lyrics in his music parodies sometimes spurred a lot of beef between him and artists who claimed that he was disrespecting their songs.

The comedian even had a tiff with State House after he released a ragga song titled Mwai Kibaki, irking the then First Lady, the late Mama Lucy Kibaki, the song was banned.

Kajairo Kajairo Pulse Live Kenya

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Kajairo later joined Churchill Show where continued with his parody content alongside Padi Wubonn

Kajairo left a legacy and the parody industry he introduced in the country has now grown and parody artists even earn a living from it.

Nowadays, parodies attract even more views than the original versions of the songs.

Eric Omondi

Eric Omondi has made a significant mark on the Kenyan comedy scene right from when he stepped into the scene.

Known for his impeccable impersonations of celebrities and political figures, during his time on Churchill Show, Omondi left a huge mark in the scene thanks to his ability to mimic voices and mannerisms.

READ: Eric Omondi shares details of show that earned him Sh34,000 per minute

He has tackled everything from imitating former presidents to mimicking famous musicians, earning a massive following on social media and delighting fans with his hilarious parodies.

Padi Wubonn

David Omondi popularly known as Padi Wubonn began his career as a comedian working together with Kajairo to entertain Churchill Show followers on stage with comic skits.

The skits grew so popular that he quit the show to start his solo career and came to the limelight through his parody song 'Ugali', which mimicked 'Cut It' by American rapper OT Genasis.

READ: 10 comedians who launched careers on Churchill

Although parody artists have been viewed as ‘parasites’ who depend on other artists, Padi strongly believes that parodies help the original songs gain traction, especially on social media and other digital platforms.

In a past interview, Pady revealed that despite the parody songs garnering good views on YouTube comedians earn nothing from them as they do not have the rights to the songs.

Fred Omondi

Younger brother to comedian Eric Omondi, Fred Omondi also used the platform at Churchill where he tried out a number of styles including parody.

He would rap rhymes which audiences loved and also worked on a number of projects with his brother Eric.

Although he did not stick to the craft for long, the short time he did it entertained his fans in a big way.

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