Eric Omondi

Last updated
Eric Omondi
Born (1982-03-09) March 9, 1982 (age 42)
Kisumu County
Alma mater Daystar University
Years active2006 - Present
Notable works and rolesSaratina

Eric Omondi (born 9 March 1982) [1] is a Kenyan comedian and actor. [2] He made his comedy debut in Churchill Show, a comedy show that airs on NTV in 2008. [3] He has since won three African Entertainment Awards USA for 'Best Comedian' in 2018, 2019 and 2020. [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Omondi is the second-born in a family of four in Kisumu County. He attended Kondele primary school then Kisumu Boys High School. [5] He later joined Daystar University and pursued a course in Mass Communication and Journalism. [6]

Marriages and family

Omondi had once promised to marry his Italian girlfriend Shantal following their public engagement after being together for nearly five years. However, in 2018 the couple announced their breakup. [7]

Career

Omondi started his career with a brief stint as a news reporter for NTV Kenya before meeting Daniel Ndambuki in 2006. He broke into the limelight in 2008 after he made an appearance on NTV's Churchill Show. [8] In 2015, he left the show, to host his own show called Hawayuni, [9] which aired on KTN but was short-lived. He also did ‘Somewhere in Africa’ and ‘Untamed’. [10]

In March 2017, Omondi became the first Kenyan ever to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. [11]

In 2020, he introduced a controversial show dubbed 'Wife Material' with its first season coming to an end with a wedding with Band Beca's Carol. [12] The second season featured women from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which saw him arrested. The show was later suspended by the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB). [13] Omondi was awarded the title of Comedian of the Year by African Entertainment Awards, USA (AEAUSA) for a third consecutive time in 2020. [6]

Omondi has since expressed his interest to get into politics. [14]

Activism

In February 2023, Omondi with 16 other people demonstrated against the high cost of living outside Parliament, Nairobi Kenya. They were charged with taking part in an unlawful assembly. They were later released with cash bail of KES 10,000 each. [15]

Awards

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2018 African Entertainment Awards USA Best African ComedianHimselfWon [16]
2019Best African ComedianWon [17]
African King Of ComedyWon
Best HostNominated
2020Best African ComedianWon [18]
2021Media Personality of the YearNominated
Social Media Influencer of the YearNominated
Best African ComedianNominated

Related Research Articles

Daniel Wambua Ndambuki famously known as Churchill is a Kenyan comedian who hosts the comedy television show Churchill Show on TV47 Kenya Kenya on Sundays. Churchill was born in Kitui town, but moved to Machakos. He has worked in the comedy industry since 1996 and has now become a household name in Kenya. He launched the Churchill Live Comedy Show in September 2008 but was renamed Churchill Show during its third season in 2012. The show has given a platform to hundreds of comedians in the country, the most successful ones being Eric Omondi, Teacher Wanjiku, Professor Hammo, MCA Tricky, Jemutai, Magazine and Dr. Kingori.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Madowo</span> Kenyan journalist (born 1987)

Larry Madowo is a CNN International Correspondent and host of the African Voices Changemakers and Playmakers series. He was previously a North America Correspondent for the BBC and also anchored breaking news and presented BBC World News America from Washington, DC. He was a 2019-20 Knight-Bagehot Fellow in Economics and Business Journalism at Columbia University in New York and the BBC Africa Business Editor until 2019. He is a reporter, broadcaster, writer and news anchor whose range includes business, technology, current affairs, politics and popular culture. His work has been featured on major global outlets including the BBC, CNN International, the Washington Post, and the Guardian.

<i>Churchill Show</i> Kenyan comedy show

Churchill Show is a Kenyan comedy show hosted by comedian Daniel "Churchill" Ndambuki, that premiered on 2007 on the network NTV. It is recorded live at Carnivore grounds in Nairobi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Muthengi</span> Kenyan media personality

Joey Muthengi is a media personality and actress. Her entry into the Kenyan media industry came through being a radio personality on 98.4 Capital FM from 2009 to 2013 where she hosted and produced the wildly popular youth show, Hits Not Homework. From 2016 to 2018, Joey Muthengi co-hosted the Power Breakfast show on Citizen TV with Fred Indimuli and Willis Raburu. She also co-hosted an entertainment show, 10 Over 10 on Citizen TV with Willis Raburu. Joey later on in 2018 quit her job at Citizen TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Karumi</span>

Charles Karumi Maina, known professionally as Charlie Karumi, is a Kenyan actor and Radio(NRG Radio)/TV presenter. He has appeared in several plays, television series and films. He is best known for his role as Tony on Kenyan drama Jane and Abel and for hosting entertainment magazine show Arena 254 on K24.

Comedy Store Uganda, is a weekly live stand-up comedy show that was created in 2016 by comedian Alex Muhangi, who is also the host since the show’s inception. The show is recorded on Wednesdays at UMA Multi-Purpose Hall Lugogo in Kampala and airs Fridays on NTV Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Entertainment Awards USA</span> Annual music award event

The African Entertainment Awards USA is an annual event consisting of mostly music awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 African Entertainment Awards USA</span>

The 5th African Entertainment Awards USA was held at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey on October 19, 2019 and was televised on Sahara TV. Nominees were revealed on August 23, 2019. The 5th ceremony honors African excellence as it marks 5 years as an NGO and the show host were; Eric Omondi, and Anita Fabiola.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khaleed Abdul</span> Kenyan comedian

Khaleed Abdul Aziz is a Kenyan Comedian, Actor, Script writer, Mcee and a Pastoralist. He is popularly known as Farah in Classmates, a TV Comedy Series currently aired by KBC Channel 1. He made his first TV appearance on Churchill Show and later won Kalasha International Award for Best Performance in a TV Comedy.

Nadia Mukami is a Kenyan singer and songwriter known for her hit singles "Si Rahisi", "Wangu" featuring Sanaipei Tande, "Lola" featuring Masauti, and "Radio Love", featuring Arrow Bwoy among others. She released her debut EP, African Popstar, in October 2020. She is the founder of the Kenyan record label "Sevens Creative Hub".

Riverwood Academy Awards is an annual Kenyan film award founded by Mwaniki Mageria. It was formed with a goal to recognize and celebrate local productions ,low budget film making and nurture talent by creating opportunities for training players in the industry on how to tell Kenyan stories in a Kenyan way. Riverwood Academy Awards started on 17 March 2014. The first River wood Awards was held at Alliance Francaise and well known people in film industry attended also the former Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Culture and the Arts; Dr. Hassan Wario Arero was among the guest of honors who attended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TV47 Kenya</span> Television station based in Kenya

TV47 is a television channel based in Kenya. It is owned by Cape Media Limited, an affiliate of Mount Kenya University. It was launched in 2019 by Cape Media Limited, Eugene Anangwe as the Chief Executive Officer and its main broadcast languages are English and Kiswahili. TV47 is a late entrant in the mass media in Kenya. There are more than 50 television stations in Kenya. These stations include Citizen TV, by Royal Media Services of Samuel Kamau Macharia, Kenya Television Network by The Standard (Kenya), NTV by Nation Media Group, and K24 TV by Media Max Limited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doreen Majala</span> Kenyan lawyer and news anchor

Doreen Majala is a Kenyan lawyer and former news personality. She formerly worked for the Nation Media Group as a news anchor and show host.

Nkusi Arthur, commonly known as Arthur or Rutura, is a Rwandan entrepreneur, comedian, actor, media personality, and campaigner. He is the founder of Arthur Nation Ltd, where he serves as creative director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mzee Majuto</span> Tanzanian Actor

Alhaji Amri Athumani well known as Mzee Majuto was a Tanzanian comedian, actor, director, screenwriter and film producer.

Lulu Khadija Hassan is a Kenyan journalist, news anchor, producer, and CEO of Jiffy Pictures. She hosts the Nipashe Wikendi news bulletin on Citizen TV, alongside Rashid Abdalla. The bulletin is broadcast in Swahili and airs on Saturday and Sunday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gigy Money</span> Tanzanian socialite

Gift Stanford Joshua known by her stage name Gigy Money is a Tanzanian singer, and internet personality. Gigy became a household name after releasing Papa, a Bongo Flava song written by Marioo in 2017. Throughout her music career, Gigy Money has worked with different music heavyweights including Whozu, Tamimu, Rosa Ree, Lava Lava and more.

Vincent Mwasia Mutua, known professionally as Chipukeezy, is a Kenyan comedian, radio presenter, and MC. He rose to prominence when he joined the cast of the Churchill Show in 2013. In 2018, Chipukeezy ventured into hosting his own show, the Chipukeezy Show, which aired on Ebru TV until 2019. Notably, in 2021 he was elected as the Vice Chairperson of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA).

John-Allan Namu is a Kenyan journalist who has worked as a reporter, news anchor, editor and producer and as a trainer and mentor to upcoming journalists and media professionals. He is known for his investigative journalism. He is the CEO and editorial director at Africa Uncensored, an investigative journalism outfit operating out of Nairobi, that he co-founded in 2015. In 2023, he announced the release of his memoirs, 'The Joy in the Struggle'.

Tetema is a song recorded by Tanzanian singer Rayvanny included as the second song in his debut studio album, Sound From Africa (2021). It was officially released by WCB Wasafi on February 20, 2019. The track features Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz.

References

  1. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/showbiz/article/2001468577/eric-omondi-celebrates-41st-birthday-with-hope-for-a-better-kenya
  2. Milimo, Dennis (2021-03-15). "Biography: Comedian Eric Omondi". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  3. Jared, Too. "Eric Omondi opens up about his mentor Churchill, and making millions". Eric Omondi opens up about his mentor Churchill, and making millions. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  4. Nyasio, Venessa (2020-12-22). "Eric Omondi crowned best African comedian for the 3rd time in a row". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  5. "Eric Omondi Biography - Eric Omondi Bio, Career, Baby Mama, Net Worth". Jambo Daily. 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  6. 1 2 "Biography: Comedian Eric Omondi". Pulselive Kenya. 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  7. Ngigi, Elizabeth. "Why Eric Omondi is not getting married". The Star. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  8. "Eric Omondi | Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  9. Syombua, Pauline (2018-12-06). "Comedian Eric Omondi re-launches flopped show that aired on KTN just for days before he returned to Churchill". Ghafla! Kenya. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  10. Chweya, Edward (2015-02-18). "Eric Omondi Finally Reveals Why He Left Churchill Show". Ghafla!. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  11. Nyanga, Caroline. "Comedian Eric Omondi makes history in New York City as he's featured in popular Jimmy Fallon comedy show". Comedian Eric Omondi makes history in New York City as he’s featured in popular Jimmy Fallon comedy show. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  12. Milimo, Dennis (2021-01-11). "Wife Material was a Scripted Entertainment show- Eric Omondi reveals". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  13. "Kenya Film Board officially suspend comedian Eric Omondi's "Wife Material"". The Citizen. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  14. "I'm thinking of vying for Lang'ata MP seat – Eric Omondi". The Star. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  15. "Cost of living: Comedian Eric Omondi and 16 others charged, freed on Sh10,000 cash bail each". 2022-02-22.
  16. Reporter, Standard. "Eric Omondi wins best comedian in Africa Award". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  17. "Uganda Online - Eric Omondi, Diamond Platnumz and Eddy Kenzo win AEAUSA awards". www.ugandaonline.net. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  18. "Eric Omondi named Best Africa comedian for 3rd time in a row" . Retrieved 2022-02-07.