Charles Bukeko
Kenyan actor and comedian (1962–2020)
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Charles Bukeko (10 July 1962 – 18 July 2020) was a Kenyan actor and comedian.[1][2][3][4] He was known for portraying the titular character in the Citizen TV comedy series Papa Shirandula, which he also created. He won the 2010 Kalasha Award for Best Actor in a TV Series for the role.[5] Bukeko also appeared in the 2012 film The Captain of Nakara.[6][7] He died on 18 July 2020, from what seemed like COVID-19 symptoms.[8] All of his comedy programmes were dominantly aired by the Kenyan Citizen Television, and none of his fans, both children and adults rarely missed an episode.[9][10]
Charles Bukeko | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 July 1962 |
| Died | 18 July 2020 (aged 58) Nairobi, Kenya |
| Resting place | Funyula Constituency, Busia |
| Other names | Papa |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Papa Shirandula |
| Spouse | Beatrice Ebbie Andega |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
Bukeko was the firstborn of four children to parents Valeria Makokha and Cosmas Wafula.[5][11] He was born in Busia, Kenya.[12] He attended Jogoo Road Primary School and proceeded to Upper Hill Secondary in Nairobi, where he earned his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).[5][12]
Career
Charles Bukeko played Otieno in the 2005 film, Project Daddy and working as a production runner on The Constant Gardener ithe same year. Back in Kenya he portrayed Matata in the TV drama Makutano Junction from 2006 to 2008. While still featuring in Makutano Junction he took a lead role as Papa in the hit comedy series, Papa Shirandula which aired on Citizen TV that ran from 2006 until 2020.[13] In 2007, he played Wanyonyi in a film feature, Malooned.[14] The Captain of Nakara where he played General Lumumba was his last appearance on a feature film in 2012.[15]
He has also appeared in TV commercials. In 2001 He did an international commercial for Coca-Cola in Indonesia.[16][17] For Vodacom in South Africa, he did his first concept in 2008 and the second one on 15 September 2010.[18] He has a commercial deal with Multichoice for GoTv adverts.[19]
Personal life
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Project Daddy | Otieno | Cast |
| 2005 | The Constant Gardener | Production runner | |
| 2006 | Makutano Junction | Cast | |
| 2007–2020 | Papa Shirandula | Papa | Cast |
| 2007 | Malooned | Wanyonyi | Cast |
| 2012 | The Captain of Nakara | General Lumumba | Cast |