By: Mark Allan Karanja
Calm down. He is not changing nationalities. But Chris Kamau, aka Okwonkwo, on the hit show SUMU LA PENZI proves that it is never too late to try on new nationalities for size. You might be forgiven to believe that the man is actually Nigerian, given his portrayal of the Nigerian tycoon on Sumu La Penzi, but the man is as Kenyan as can be. The character Okwonkwo is a multi-millionaire who is looking to spend his money on a young Kenyan beauty, but things quickly unravel, as his controlling nature comes to the fore.
One would wonder why Chris, who is so far removed from the character that he plays, would choose to play such a role. “I have always liked being in the limelight”, he recounts, as he reminisces on his days in the Audrey Taylor nursery school, where he got his first taste of the performance art in a “stunning performance of Billy Goats Gruff and Bah Bah Black Sheep”, he says as he bursts into a mischievous laughter.
Far from his character on Sumu, the man is down to earth and very open, with a cheeky side that is very evident. “Reverend Terresia Wairimu, who was then my kindergarten teacher used to say that I could get away with murder on account of my eyes”. No, he is not what you can call modest, which goes a long way with bringing his character to life. “I had a thing for the program ‘Dallas’ as I was growing up. I was too young to watch it then, but when I grew up, I made sure to watch all the episodes, and had a particular liking for the character J.R Ewing – the man the world loved to hate. It is interesting because I find elements of him in the characters I play, especially Okwonkwo”.
Performance art has always been a part of his life, having attained a degree in theatrical performance – acting from the American School of Dramatic Arts – New York Campus. “I had initially joined the Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts, where I had the luck to reconnect with an old friend from Kindergarten, Eric Wainanina, and later met Victor Seii. I loved singing, but later discovered I loved acting more, that is why I made the switch”. Acting has since then become an integral part of his life, having had stints with Phoenix players where he did a number of plays and also has also been a part of the Nairobi City Players where he did a number of musicals as well. He has featured in ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’, one of the most famous soap operas to have ever come out of Hollywood as is a member of American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). His relationship with Spielworks Media spans back a while. “I got a call to try out for “THE AGENCY”, and had to contact Dorothy Ghettuba, the CEO, who was then still in Canada and I was in California”, and the rest, as they say is History.
Catch Chris Kamau, playing Fortune Okwonkwo on Sumu la Penzi.