Awiti Bio
Primary School: St Teresa Primary School, Eastleigh
Secondary School: St Teresa Secondary School completed 2010
College: Zetech College
Father’s name: Hesbon Odhiambo
Mother’s name: Grace Odhiambo
Husband’s Name: Bildad
Daughter: 1
The Real Househelps of Kawangware (TRHK) actress Awiti, real name Winnie Rubi, is a household name in Kenya. The actress plays a hardened house help who lords over her fellow colleagues and is always ready for a fight with whoever crosses her path. She first distinguished herself as a serious act when she played different roles in the then popular show Hapa Kule news aired on KTN.
Education
Awiti was a pupil at St Tereza’s primary school in Eastleigh. Even in primary school, the pupil was sharpening her acting skills by watching local actors and actresses on television. In an interview with EveWoman, the burly Awiti said her family and friends described her as a born actress. Her love for the arts did not fade away when she joined St Teresa’s Girls. After her O-levels, the mother of one joined Zetech College to study a course in Community Development and Social Work. Her parents did not discourage her from pursuing her dreams of becoming an actor when she informed them:
“My father, Hesbon Odhiambo, a long-time employee of mattress manufacturer Superfoam Ltd, would always encourage me and advise me while reminding me of the importance of education. He was seconded by my mother Grace Odhiambo, a fishmonger at Gikomba, Nairobi,” Winnie told EveWoman.
Acting Career
Her acting career became a reality when she was introduced by the director of an NGO where he worked to Ben Mutua of Hapa Kule show. She was to break into the professional ranks in 2012 when she appeared on the parody show.
She said of her big break:
“When he noticed my interest in acting, Mr Biladi, the director of the NGO I worked for, introduced me to Ben Mutua of Hapa Kule. Our first segment garnered 100,000 views on Youtube,” Winnie said.
The real Winnie says that fans are not able to separate her character on screen to the real person she is. Former actor on TRHK Njugush used to dread Awiti’s during their on and off love affair.
“There are times when I am forced to explain to fans that I am different from the bully character I portray on TV,” Winnie is quoted as saying.
Marital Woes
According to online news outlet, the actress was involved in a fight with her husband late last year. She reportedly hurled abuses at her husband saying she was now rich and he expected her to fed him, reported KahawaTungu. Awiti reportedly carted everything from her matrimonial home leaving the husband with nothing. The husband told the blog associated with Robert Alai that his wife is not any different from the rough bully character she played on TV.
Endorsements
Her biggest endorsement yet was the kes150,000 she was paid in the Shabiki.com promotion where she was featured.