Eric Omondi

This article is about the comedian. For the footballer, see Eric Johana Omondi.
Eric Omondi
Born (1982-03-09) March 9, 1982 (age 42)
Kisumu County
Alma materDaystar University
Years active2006 - Present
Notable works and rolesSaratina

Eric Omondi (born 9 March 1982)[1] is a Kenyan comedian and actor.[2] He made his comedy debut in Churchill Show, a comedy show that airs on NTV in 2008.[3] He has since won three African Entertainment Awards USA for 'Best Comedian' in 2018, 2019 and 2020.[4]

Early life and education

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Omondi is the second-born in a family of four in Kisumu County. He attended Kondele primary school then Kisumu Boys High School.[5] He later joined Daystar University and pursued a course in Mass Communication and Journalism.[6]

Marriages and family

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Omondi had once promised to marry his Italian girlfriend Shantal following their public engagement after being together for nearly five years. However, in 2018 the couple announced their breakup.[7]

Career

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Omondi started his career with a brief stint as a news reporter for NTV Kenya before meeting Daniel Ndambuki in 2006. He broke into the limelight in 2008 after he made an appearance on NTV's Churchill Show.[8] In 2015, he left the show, to host his own show called Hawayuni,[9] which aired on KTN but was short-lived. He also did ‘Somewhere in Africa’ and ‘Untamed’.[10]

In March 2017, Omondi became the first Kenyan ever to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[11]

In 2020, he introduced a controversial show dubbed 'Wife Material' with its first season coming to an end with a wedding with Band Beca's Carol.[12] The second season featured women from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which saw him arrested. The show was later suspended by the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB).[13] Omondi was awarded the title of Comedian of the Year by African Entertainment Awards, USA (AEAUSA) for a third consecutive time in 2020.[6]

Omondi has since expressed his interest to get into politics.[14]

Activism

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In February 2023, Omondi with 16 other people demonstrated against the high cost of living outside Parliament, Nairobi Kenya. They were charged with taking part in an unlawful assembly. They were later released with cash bail of KES 10,000 each.[15]

Eric Omondi was also arrested by police on April 26, 2023 while protesting against unemployment and high cost of living in Kisumu. In the incident, Omondi led a group of protestors, with majority of them being university students, in the streets of Kisumu protesting the persistent unemployment affecting most graduates in the Kenyan society.[16] Anti-riot police arrested the comedian and hurled tear gas canisters to disperse the peaceful protestors.

Awards

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2018 African Entertainment Awards USA Best African Comedian Himself Won [17]
2019 Best African Comedian Won [18]
African King Of Comedy Won
Best Host Nominated
2020 Best African Comedian Won [19]
2021 Media Personality of the Year Nominated
Social Media Influencer of the Year Nominated
Best African Comedian Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Eric Omondi celebrates 41st birthday with hope for a better Kenya".
  2. ^ Milimo, Dennis (2021-03-15). "Biography: Comedian Eric Omondi". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  3. ^ Jared, Too. "Eric Omondi opens up about his mentor Churchill, and making millions". Eric Omondi opens up about his mentor Churchill, and making millions. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  4. ^ Nyasio, Venessa (2020-12-22). "Eric Omondi crowned best African comedian for the 3rd time in a row". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  5. ^ "Eric Omondi Biography - Eric Omondi Bio, Career, Baby Mama, Net Worth". Jambo Daily. 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  6. ^ a b "Biography: Comedian Eric Omondi". Pulselive Kenya. 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  7. ^ Ngigi, Elizabeth. "Why Eric Omondi is not getting married". The Star. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  8. ^ "Eric Omondi | Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  9. ^ Syombua, Pauline (2018-12-06). "Comedian Eric Omondi re-launches flopped show that aired on KTN just for days before he returned to Churchill". Ghafla! Kenya. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  10. ^ Chweya, Edward (2015-02-18). "Eric Omondi Finally Reveals Why He Left Churchill Show". Ghafla!. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  11. ^ Nyanga, Caroline. "Comedian Eric Omondi makes history in New York City as he's featured in popular Jimmy Fallon comedy show". Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  12. ^ Milimo, Dennis (2021-01-11). "Wife Material was a Scripted Entertainment show- Eric Omondi reveals". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  13. ^ "Kenya Film Board officially suspend comedian Eric Omondi's "Wife Material"". The Citizen. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  14. ^ "I'm thinking of vying for Lang'ata MP seat – Eric Omondi". The Star. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  15. ^ "Cost of living: Comedian Eric Omondi and 16 others charged, freed on Sh10,000 cash bail each". 2022-02-22.
  16. ^ Digital, Standard. "Eric Omondi arrested again". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  17. ^ Reporter, Standard. "Eric Omondi wins best comedian in Africa Award". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  18. ^ "Uganda Online - Eric Omondi, Diamond Platnumz and Eddy Kenzo win AEAUSA awards". www.ugandaonline.net. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  19. ^ "Eric Omondi named Best Africa comedian for 3rd time in a row". 22 December 2020. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
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