Kenyan comedy actors and producers have been urged to come up with their own forms of comedy instead of duplicating what is already in the market.
Panelists at the Broadcast, Film and Music conference in Nairobi discussed the subject, with the most common types of comedy seen in Kenya involving accents and pranks.
Thomas Oyolo, director of Kanyaga Waya Productions, said comedians should choose a path that varied from the norm and stick to it until they become successful.
“Kenyans don’t think beyond what is already there, they duplicate your work. When you choose your direction, stick to it,” he said.
On the same topic, Geoffrey Omondi of Pengle Entertainment and Mr President Comedians, who appears in shows such as Crazy Fools and the XYZ Show, said Kenya lacks creative directors to steer comedy productions.
“They are the ones who think outside the box to come up with a good show,” he said.
Apart from duplication there is also the issue of instant gratification, with comedians getting discouraged when their work is not recognised and opting for the other careers. The panelists cautioned against this and said comedians need to start at the bottom.
“Artists start out with illusions and this is not the way. I didn’t realise I could start at the bottom and make it big, making my name in the process,” said Omondi.
