Sec Gen Ngoni Wa Thuita, as he fondly refers to himself on his Kameme FM Kwigangara show, is arguably one of the best comedians to have ever graced Kikuyu radio airwaves.
You might also recognize him as Ole Matope of the famous Vitimbi show that used to air on KBC.
The talented comedian has a knack for copying accents and imitating the voices of renowned Kenyans, especially politicians. He was the guy behind former president Mwaki Kibaki’s voice in the now-defunct XYZ show.
He is loved for his unique comedy style, which involves narrating funny and relatable stories as he hosts the show between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Legend says he never repeats a joke.
However, success is rarely ever a walk in the park, and Ngoni’s journey to stardom was not an exception.
From working as a construction worker to one of the best radio presenters in the country, this is his journey as told by WoK:
Background
In a YouTube interview, Humphrey Ngoni Thuita revealed that he was born and raised in the Makadara suburbs of Nairobi.
His father worked as a cook at Nairobi Primary School while his mother was a hawker at Gikomba market.
Their residence was near the State House, and so, despite his humble background, Ngoni had the privilege of attending Statehouse Primary School, where he sat for his KCPE.
For high school, his parents transferred him to Iyego Secondary School in Kangema, Murang’a.
Moving from an urban school to a rural one was a surreal experience.
“I was amazed by how normal it was for students to speak vernacular in school,” Ngoni Wa Thuita said.
Even at a young age, his talent was apparent, as other students gravitated towards him as an entertainer.
He was a member of the drama club in high school, and it was there that he learned to stand in front of crowds.
After high school, he pursued a course in Journalism and Public Relations.
Acting Career
Despite his education, Ngoni started out as a mtu wa mjengo (construction worker). He graced construction sites for several years and helped put up houses in Kayole’s Mihang’o estate.
One day, he met Peninah Nduta, who played the role of Kanini in the Vitimbi show. He expressed the desire to become an actor, and Peninah invited him for auditions at KBC.
There, he imitated the Maasai accent so well that he earned a spot as Ole Matope in Vitimbi. The name was given to him by fellow actor Mama Kayai.
Although he was now appearing on national TV and was slowly becoming a household celebrity, the fame did not come with the money.
He earned a mere sh 1 000 every time his act went on air, which was often once per month.
Sometimes, he would even spend two months without going on TV, waiting for the script to touch on his Maasai character.
Consequently, he still depended on mjengo jobs for sustenance and to get the bus fare to attend rehearsals.
Radio career
Speaking about his radio career, Ngoni described it as a case of opportunity meeting preparation.
At Vitimbi, there were the ‘big 5’ actors: Mwala, Mzee Ojwang, Mama Kayai, and others. These were veterans, and they would be invited to perform for the president and during other KBC events.
One day, Mombasa-based Pwani FM had an event and called on Vitimbi actors to present. However, the big 5 weren’t available, so it was suggested that the upcoming crop of actors be given a chance. Ngoni was among them.
He was tasked with the job of welcoming Tanzanian singer Marlow at the airport in his Maasai character. He would accompany Sabina Chege, who was the head of KBC at the time.
Ngoni Wa Thuita used this opportunity to ask Sabina for a job as a radio presenter at KBC. She agreed, and he was given the chance to host a program at KBC’s Cooro FM.
There, he became famous for hosting the Rwiga Rwa Coro FM breakfast show, which he co-hosted alongside Wanjiru Wa Chege.
After a while, he moved to KBC Radio Taifa, earning a monthly salary of sh 60 000.
From KBC, he was poached by Mediamax-owned Milele FM, where he hosted a mid-morning show dubbed Chozi la Almasi.
A reshuffle happened at Milele FM, and Ngoni joined Kameme FM, co-hosting the Kwigangara afternoon show alongside the vibrant Gathaiya Dennis.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Family
Ngoni, who is in his early 40s, is a devout family man. He is married to Rose Njeri and the couple are blessed with at least two children.
Net Worth
Although the full extent of Ngoni’s wealth is not within the public domain, he is one of the highest-paid Kikuyu radio presenters. He has invested in the transport sector, owning at least one Matatu.
