Shaniqwa: I am not my weave

What is your real name?

Kelvin Mwangi Thiong’o.

Do people recognise you in the streets without the Shaniqwa costume?

Enthusiastic fans do.

Do they expect you to stop and act like Shaniqwa?

They do, but I don’t really like doing it because I like to separate the Jameni character Shaniqwa from Kelvin Mwangi. I’m also an MC by the way, MC Kevatin. So sometimes at shows people want to hear me say ntakumurder. Of course I say it, but I want people to know the difference between me and the character I play on television.

Where did ‘ntakumurder’ come from?

We usually use a script but we also adlib, which is to come up with lines or words on the fly. That is how Ntakumurder came about. I actually heard it from some of my closest friends and I thought it was a new slang. It was used on the show’s trailer and people loved it, together with other words like kula wiper, kula Z and kula azonto.

At what point in your career did you decide that you were comfortable playing the role of a woman?

You know, I’ve never thought about that. I wasn’t even prepared for the first episode. The first auditions I did were reading for the part of Uhuru Kenyatta, but I wasn’t very good at it. The Jameni producer was shooting the parody for Tujuane, called Tuachane; he asked me to go on set and just familiarise myself with the show.

The woman supposed to act never showed up, so he looked at me and told me to try it. I refused because I wanted to be a cool actor like Ian Mugoya, someone the women swoon over (laughs). He finally said: “Do you want to get a contract or not?” and the threat worked. Someone went to the supermarket, bought clothes, I got on the set without a script and here we are today.

What makes you laugh?

Just stupid stuff. My motto in life is, it’s never that serious; cliché, I know, but even when things in my life are heavy, I firmly believe that if you trust in God, He will never let you down.

What scares you?

I’m afraid of the dark. I sleep with all the lights on in my house.

Doesn’t your wife complain about it?

I’m not married, I’m single, so...

Is it that bad that you have to sleep with the lights on?

Last week, I remember I was so tired I only left the bedroom light on. There’s usually a shadow that the door forms that looks like the figure of a person sitting. I can’t tell you fully how scary that was when I woke up and saw it. Last December, I lost my best friend, Eric (MC Bones). He was also a comedian. He was attacked by thugs. Most of the time when I go to sleep, I dream about him — especially if I’ve had a long or bad day. So when I saw that shadow, my thoughts immediately went to him.

Where does being an MC come to play in your life?

I was an MC even before Shaniqwa came along. That’s how I got into the acting industry. I started as an MC at clubs, restaurant and events, but Shaniqwa swooped in and took over.

It must be taking over your life...

Shaniqwa is so big I can’t control her now. She has a creative team, a manager and people who advise her. As an MC, I haven’t yet got to that level but hopefully I will. I love how Kenyans accept Shaniqwa, especially women and children.

But, of course, not everyone does. Some people insult me, or is it her, but still follow her, especially on Instagram. When I post pictures, they write some really nasty insults. If I were weak I would have given up. But I have friends and family who are there for me, especially my mum; she calls me every day and motivates me to go on.

Are there other roles that you want to play?

I don’t think so. One thing about me is that, I don’t want to say I’m content, but what God has given me is big enough. If I start coveting other things, I might not be able to handle them. I’m satisfied with what I have. I want Shaniqwa to one day go for a show in Dubai. There are people who call me from the US — I don’t know where they get my number from — and tell me they watch the show. My dream is to take both my brands to a higher level.

Why are you single?

I’ve not met the right person yet, but I want to get married very soon. I’m done with single life, drinking milk and eating bread and noodles. I’m searching for someone who’ll love me — not Shaniqwa — just me.

Have you had women approach you because of your famous character?

Yes I have, but you know when I get old that character won’t be there any more. Does it mean I will be divorced once Shaniqwa hangs her wig? I want to meet someone who’s never heard of Shaniqwa.

Which character impresses you more, Madea or Big Mama?

None, because when I look at them, it’s just like looking at the mirror, the difference is they are bigger.

Which actors do you look up to?

If I decide to follow other people’s work I will just wake up one day and discover I’m a mini version of those people. And I don’t want that. I’d like it to be that, when people see Shaniqwa, they see the typical Kenyan woman.

As a man, what do you like about the Nairobi woman?

They are dramatic and straightforward; we think Vera Sidika and Huddah Monroe are the only socialites but there are so many out there who love men with money. If you don’t have a car, you’re doomed. I once met a woman in a club; I approached her and asked her if she would have a drink with me; she asked if I had a car and when I said no, she told me: “Maybe next time”.

What is your opinion of the Kenyan comedy scene?

We’ve grown so much, that’s why I have a job. I like the way we have evolved; someone like Eric Omondi has travelled so much, one day we will see him share a stage with Kevin Hart and it will be amazing. I love him because he is a go-getter, Chipukeezy will be going to Dubai soon, and we are still here in Kenya (laughs), but everything comes in its own good time.

Who’s Jameni’s competition?

The news, because it’s a political show. Our biggest competitor, however, is Churchill in terms of content, but in terms of viewership it has to be Papa Shirandula.