Consolata Mboga also known as Connie Kabarry is a Kenyan award-winning Nollywood actor. She is the wife to renown Luo Benga musician Kevin Omondi Migot popularly known as Dola Kabarry.
Despite her remarkable career achievements – making it into arguably Africa’s largest film industry – Connie hails from a humble background, having overcome a myriad of challenges to become the celebrity she is today.
During an interview with Standard’s Eve Woman, Connie revealed that she was forced to drop out of school at the age of 14 after her father Richard Francis, passed away. Her mother, Angela Mwikali, could not afford to feed and put them through school.
An neighbour often came to their aid when it came to food. The church assisted in paying their rent.
With the little money Mwikali earned from her small kiosk, she put Connie through Form One.
After some time, the family friend asked for Connie’s hand in marriage in exchange for taking care of her entire family. He was 15 years older than her.
He enrolled her at Changamwe Girls Day School. She, however, conceived and was forced to drop out in Form Three at the age of 16. At the time, sh endured to stay in the marriage for her family’s wellbeing.
“I didn’t want to disappoint my mother and siblings who depended entirely on the man for most of their daily needs. In 2004, I conceived and gave birth to my second child,” Connie narrated.
Mwikali passed away shortly after the birth of Connie’s second child. Her marriage was full of challenges – at one point she contemplated a murder-suicide involving her kids.
In 2009, Connie quit on the marriage and relocated to Lolwe Estate in Kisumu for a new chapter in her life.
Her fortunes begun to turn when Connie visited her sister in Mombasa. She was asked to accompany her to a club where she met her current husband, Dola Kabarry. He was in Mombasa for an event.
The sister introduced Connie to Dola at the club. This would ignite their relationship.
“One day, I received a call from Dola. We went on a date and he confessed to me that he was in a dead relationship and was in the process of divorcing his estranged wife. I felt I had finally met someone who understood what I was going through,” Connie conceded.
“In 2012, Dola proposed to me. Later, after paying the bride price, he took up the responsibility of my children. He made sure they attended school and paid their school fees,” she added.
Connie told Dola of her acting aspirations and in support, introduced her to a number of film producers, casting managers, and directors, but there was little luck at first. She did not give up.
In 2017, a family friend who was visiting in Nigeria introduced her to legendary Nollywood actor John Okafor alias Mr Ibu.
“My great moment came when I contacted a Kenyan family friend, Nelson Sechere, who was on a visit to Nigeria. Little did I know that he was a close ally of Nigerian actor and comedian John Okafor, Mr. Ibu,” Connie Kabarry revealed.
“As soon as I informed him of my interest to feature in a Nollywood movie, he introduced me to Mr Ibu who invited me over to the country’s Enugu State to audition for a film role alongside actors Kenneth Okonkwo and Nkem Owoh,” She added.
Connie’s career took off since. In February 2018, she produced her debut film, Almost Perfect. The project was shot in Nigeria’s Enugu State and featured actors Nonso Diobi, Chiege Alisigwe, and Dougad.
The film was nominated for the 2018 ‘Nollywood Excellence and Leadership Awards’ (NELA) and won.
Connie Kabarry has feaured in films alongside Mr. Ibu and Nkem Owoh popularly known as Ousofia.
