Kenneth Ambani: A Kenyan legend

Kenyan actor Kenneth Ambani.

What you need to know:

  • If you were a fan of local programs like ‘Tushauriane’, ‘Tausi’ and ‘Wingu la Moto’, then you are probably familiar with this face.
  • Kenneth Ambani a.k.a. Ken or Baraza, the famous name he acquired for his role in ‘Tausi’ has been in the acting industry for more than 20 years.
  • His acting career began while he was in primary school and by the time he was in high school, he had already made up his mind about his passion.

If you were a fan of local programs like ‘Tushauriane’, ‘Tausi’ and ‘Wingu la Moto’, then you are probably familiar with this face.

Kenneth Ambani a.k.a. Ken or Baraza, the famous name he acquired for his role in ‘Tausi’ has been in the acting industry for more than 20 years.

He is one of the first Kenyans to be cast in the famous South African soap opera, Jacob’s Cross, with many terming him as the only actor in the country who has been in more than a dozen shows and movies.

“Apart from the named programs I have acted in Maisha, Shuga, Siri, Saints, Block D, Makutano Junction and Mali,” he says.

According to Ambani it is this popularity that has continued to earn him multiple invites to act in Tanzanian and Ugandan films.

His popularity then opened doors for him to meet the producer of Jacobs Cross, thus garnering him the role of Detective Abasi in the program.

He says this role is a dream come true, as he has had a chance to brush shoulders with the very best in the continent’s acting industry.

Apart from programs, Ambani prides in having secured roles in quite a number of films within and outside Kenya.

“’From a Whisper’ was a Kenyan film I was in that gained popularity not just here but abroad. I have also featured in Tanzanian movies like 'Naliaka is going', Dilema, Binti Nusa and Kisasi,' he says proudly.

WHERE DID HE BEGIN?

His acting career began while he was in primary school and by the time he was in high school, he had already made up his mind about his passion.

“While in form three I got a chance to play a part in ‘My People in Chains’ a South African play that opened my doors as a professional actor,” he says.

By mid 80’s he had already landed a role in ‘Tushauriane’, a program which served as his launching pad and went beyond borders.

It was during this time that he also landed a spot in ‘Fate Makers’, the first English play to be aired in the Sauti ya Mombasa studio.

However, he says Tausi has continued to hold a special place in his history as an actor, considering the fact that the program had a massive and dedicated widespread following.

BAGGING AWARDS

Determination has seen him bag a good number of awards.

In 2010 he was feted as the Best Actor in the Tarifa awards held in Spain, for his role in ‘From a Whisper’.

“During the same period I got the Best Actor award at the Kenya film festival. And, I was nominated as the Best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, a title that I won at Kalasha Awards in 2009,” he explains.

His face has also graced several local and international advertisements.

“I’ve had a chance to act in the ‘Blueband Good Start’, ‘Coke family’, ‘Tuzo Milk’, ‘Dyer & Blair’ and KWFT adverts,” he mentions.

PLUSES AND MINUSES OF POPULARITY

Kenneth adds that his popularity hasn’t been a bed of roses as he has had to deal with female fans, who sometimes ambush him while he is with his family.

This can make him and his family uncomfortable, as they are encroaching on his privacy, as well as that of his family.

However, this hasn’t dented his hopes of one day joining Lupita Nyong’o on the highest platform of entertainment: Hollywood.

And one day, you might just see his name on the walk of fame, if his fame here is anything to go by.