TAKE 5: Wilson Muirani a.k.a. Jaymo ule Msee
Wilson Muirani a.k.a. Jaymo ule Msee is a social comedian who tells Kenyan stories in a comical way. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- He says that though there are two sides of a coin, he stands with the third one!
- This is one thing that we need to introduce in our comedy parliament. I will propose a bill that we have ‘Comedy Women Reps’ so that we can close the gap as well as observe the 2/3 gender rule as outlined in our Constitution.
- The most important thing is to have a content calendar. This ensures that you will not be subjected to unnecessary pressure to manufacture jokes when the orders come through.
1. Why did you decide to use Jaymo, and not your actual name?
Jaymo is a ‘mtaa’ name that everyone is conversant with, plus, I wanted to separate my birth certificate personality with this other me.
2. What do you want to do next with your skits and comedy?
I want to do more and more skits, and continue to grow the brand.
3. What do you think is lacking in the field of Kenyan comedy?
To be honest, we are doing well and things keep improving. Every comedian I know is doing their best to tell Kenyan stories.
4. Why do you think there are so few prominent female comedians?
This is one thing that we need to introduce in our comedy parliament. I will propose a bill that we have ‘Comedy Women Reps’ so that we can close the gap as well as observe the 2/3 gender rule as outlined in our Constitution.
5. Is it possible to make a living off comedy? Do you have a day job?
Yes it is possible. Like when I go to buy my githeri, nyanyas, (tomatoes) and sukuma wiki, I just make my mama mboga laugh and she cancels my bill.
The same happens with the landlord! On a serious note, yes it is. And I do more besides comedy. I freelance as a digital strategist, but I do it at night. Does that qualify as a day job?
6. Is there pressure to be funny all the time?
The most important thing is to have a content calendar. This ensures that you will not be subjected to unnecessary pressure to manufacture jokes when the orders come through.
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HOTSPOT
The Nook Café, Akamba Court, Woodlands Lane, Hurlingham
There is only one place in Nairobi where you can find two authentic tacos for 500 bob, and that is the hipster Nook Café in Hurlingham. Nicole, the chef, welcomes us with a big smile and a quaint chalkboard drawn menu that changes cuisine every week on the four days it is open – from Vietnamese, to Mexican, to Thai and Aussie. I had the pulled pork taco and the tofu one, which, surprisingly, was my favourite, as well as a berry + mint spritzer. If you are not a fan of sweetly sour drinks, you may need to ask for syrup to add onto that, or simply skip and start with dessert as I did, which, for that week, was a cinnamon choc-chip cupcake. Sit on the carved furniture and enjoy the streaming sunlight, look at the small booth playing host to designs from Black Fly, and make sure you call ahead to book – seating space is limited to less than 10 hungry guests.
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Blog of the week
Potentash
www.potentash.com
If you’re looking for everything that is happening under lifestyle, business and entertainment, then Potentash is the place to look for information and reviews.
She covers all genres, from entertainment, education and entrepreneurship to interviews with prominent and eloquent professionals in her Pearls and Heels/Man About Nairobi segment. If you’re looking for a laugh, her Single Lady in Nairobi segment is where you want to be – with stories from real women! Sample this:
“By 11th February, the guy is quiet. I feel he is busy planning a big Valentine plan for the both of us. On 12th Feb, he calls and tells me he cannot afford to take me out on Valentines, because he has no money.
Money had never been an issue, so I quickly told him that since Valentines was important to me, I would do all the planning and even foot the date. My bill. That was the first mistake I did. I should have let that day slide…’
