By Faith Nyambeki
His career was on an upward trajectory until the night of 14th April 2017. This is the year that brought Paul Ogutu, popularly known as wa Kimani, to his knees and rising up to find himself has not been easy. On that fateful night, Paul was behind the wheels of his car driving the late Ayieya, his wife Alice Njoki Nyambane and actor Maina Olwenya to their respective homes in Rongai. The comedian hit an electricity pole as he tried to negotiate a corner near Catholic University of East Africa junction along Magadi road and lost control of his car. Ayieya succumbed to his injuries and left wa Kimani with an emotional scar that is yet to heal. Here is his story.
Career
The funnyman is many things in one; a father, MC, actor, scriptwriter and a director. He started acting while he was in high school and even went on to win the award for the best actor at the highly competitive National Drama Festivals. He showed his intention to become a notable comedian when he participated in Top Comic in 2009, a Laugh Industry project that had Churchill as the judge. With this background, the funnyman had laid a foundation for his entry into the big stage. He was one of the most talked about comedians on the Churchill Show and was set to join the leagues of Eric Omondi if not for the accident that has turned his life upside down. He took a break from the show and started working with Heartstrings Kenya where he hosted The Hot Seat alongside Ayeiya. In 2014 he reunited with Churchill.
Depression And Struggles with Alcoholism
Kenyans knew of the troubles wa Kimani and other comedians were undergoing when the unrepentant Zeddy went hammer and tongs on the top management of Churchill Show. This prompted OG Lorenzo to reach out to the comedian to confirm if the reports made by the Comedienne were true. In the just over 13 minutes video, Paul recounted how he was called at 2 am by Churchill Show creative director Victor Ber and told to travel to Nakuru for a show. He left Nairobi at 5 am and on reaching the venue, Ber asked him what he came to do there. This, he said, only added to embers of his depression that he traces back to the accident that led to Ayieya untimely demise. Wa Kimani took to heavy drinking and would wake up on the roadside after a night of binge drinking.
Sharing his sorry state as he battled depression, the funnyman told Lorenzo of not so funny experiences where he found himself on the wrong side of the law after being involved in fights he could not remember. He faced up to five assault cases in a single night and he couldn’t even remember what had transpired.
Girlfriend bolting out of relationship
Paul wa Kimani relationship came to an end because his girlfriend of five years could not stand his erratic behavior. This, the comedian said, added to his depression as he had no one to turn too.
Trying to pick himself up
The comedian is on the path of recovery and has asked his fans to send him a positive message and those who are in his shoes.
Ayeiya’s Wife Demanding kes21 million from wa Kimani
His problems have been compounded by Ayeiya’s wife who is demanding kes21 million from wa Kimani for ‘killing’ her husband. Two weeks after burying her husband, Njoki served the comedian a court order demanding the payment.
