Former Churchill Show comedian George Maina, popularly known as Njoro The Comedian, left Kenya for the United States in 2021, seeking greener pastures after a declined comedy career.
Njoro now works at a US-based furniture warehouse where he deals in logistics, where he manages inventory and operates machinery.
He was speaking in an interview with a local publication, where he opened up about his unexpected transition from being one of the funniest men on Kenyan television to his new, low-key life in the US. He shared the challenges that ultimately led him to take that flight to the land of opportunities.
The comedian who has a background in journalism shared that he tried his hand at different media jobs which did not fulfil him depsite his passion. His first love was comedy and when he took that mic, he knew he had found his calling.
“I wanted to pursue investigative journalism because I was good at digging into stories. But life took a different turn. I don’t regret shifting to comedy because it gave me a platform to entertain and connect with people in a way I hadn’t imagined,” he said.
He was a star on the Churchill Show stage, and began seeking comedy open mic events to support himself on his new career path. His first gig paid a meagre Ksh 500, but he was determined to tap into the thriving comedy scene in Kenya at the time, recognizing its potential as a lucrative avenue.
He soon found himself making significant paychecks, landing brand deals, and becoming a household name in Kenya’s entertainment scene. His early twenties were filled with fame and financial success, and he recalls earning up to a million shillings a month in endorsements during the height of his career.
However, the allure of wealth and success came with a price, as he got caught up in excessive spending and indulging in a lavish lifestyle.
“I was young and naive. Some of the money went to supporting my family, but most of it was spent living the high life,” he admitted.
As Njoro’s career blew up, his struggles with alcohol began. What started as casual drinking at bars and clubs soon turned into a full-blown addiction.
“It was hard to avoid the drinking culture. Being surrounded by people who were drinking made it easy to fall into the habit,” Njoro revealed.
His addiction affected his personal life, including the breakdown of his marriage and the loss of his father to cancer. It was a low point in his life, leading him to seek solace in rehab.
Reflecting on his journey, the father of four wishes he had been more prudent with his finances, particularly given how swiftly things spiraled. Despite being one of the highest-paid comedians, he had little to show for it, as his reckless spending caused his wealth to slip away.
Njoro was emotionally drained, and this took a toll on his mental health. He decided to leave comedy after his admission into rehab in 2020. He moved to the United States in 2021, a decision that marked a fresh start.
He decided to begin his life there on a clean slate, disconnecting from social media in his first year in the US to solely work on himself. He secured a trucking job that helped him land on his feet.
Today, Njoro works in a furniture company and operates forklifts in a warehouse. He also works part-time in a plywood company and takes on hosting gigs for events. Despite his new career, he still pursues his passion for comedy, planning to host a show later this year.
