Artist Collins Okello speaks out on his newfound fame, rumours

When Collins Okello received a call from the highest office in the country appreciating his artwork, it did not occur to him that he would be on his way to State House to present President Uhuru Kenyatta with a gift for his 53rd birthday.

In less than a week, he rose from an unknown 24-year-old to a famous Kisumu artist whose drawing of the president in his military regalia went viral online.

With his newfound fame, rumours and old linen are slowly emerging.

So, you presented a birthday gift to the President, how was it like being invited to State House?

It was the most humbling experience ever, I never in my wildest imagination ever thought I would be called by the president. First the call was dumbfounding and the visit was just extraordinary, I was just over-excited.

How has your life changed since your encounter with President Kenyatta?

People are thinking I have now become a millionaire or that I will start being a different person, but no, am still the same Collins — humble, straightforward, a good listener and easy to interact with.

I have not changed my ways and am not planning to. As for the millions, I gave the President a present for his birthday and that should not be interpreted otherwise.

Tell us about your family and their reaction to the recent activities and media coverage you have received.

I am an only child, born by a father who is a subsistence farmer and a mother who works for the Ministry of Agriculture in Kisumu. My parents are happy with my work and are even happier that I got to meet the President.

There have been reports that you had a baby with one Yvonne Bisinde and have neglected the child. Are you a deadbeat father?

I know Yvonne very well and we were in a relationship a year and a half ago. By the time our relationship ended she was not having any child and neither was she pregnant.

All I am saying is, if she still insists that I fathered her child then she should use the right channels to seek child support.

I do not mind her going to court on the same because I know due process will prevail and even DNA will be done.

There have been all sorts of rumours about me, with some even claiming I was a thief in campus (Jkuat).

All that is not true and my criminal record was even checked before I was invited to State House.

So how are you going to deal with the rumours that often come with fame?

I will let them be and set the record straight for those who want to know the truth. Rumours will always be there especially when you do something different in the society and so I will just ignore every negative thing people say.

What is next for you as an artist, are you working on any other portraits and are there plans to expand the business?

I already have received numerous orders and am even working on a portrait of Jeff Koinange.

I am planning to involve other upcoming artists in making creative and fine art pieces so that we can sell and earn a living from art.

There are also plans to come up with a programme for artists coordinated by the national government that will ensure talents are nurtured.

And finally are you single, dating or married?

(Laughing) Married? No, but am planning to make it official soon. I already have a lady I am engaged to.