Mama Kayai's life outside acting

It hasn’t been easy for Mama Kayai, of 'Vitimbi' fame, since the passing of Mzee Ojwang’. Their acting partnership as husband and wife on the show spanned over four decades, longer than most actual marriages. The on-screen chemistry was so compelling that many people believed the two were a couple in real life.

Their act was so engaging and long-running that their stage names followed them outside of acting.

The actress, whose real name is Mary Khavere, says it has not been easy to move on without Mzee Ojwang' (real name Benson Wanjau) in the series.

Mzee Ojwang’ died at Kenyatta National Hospital nine years ago, on July 12, 2015, from pneumonia.

“It wasn’t easy for us for a while, but we have steadily and gradually recovered from the effects of his absence, returning to our usual status in the series,” she told The Standard Sunday magazine.

She says Ojwang’s death greatly affected the group.

“But we have since changed roles and introduced new developments that have helped us cope and move forward as things get better,” says Khavere.

Today, Khavere plays a single mother in the Vitimbi Comedy Series, which airs on a local television station.

She says her busy schedule does not affect her domestic life.

Marriage and Family

While Mama Kayai was married to Mzee Ojwang' on screen, Mary Khavere was married to the late Said Ali Matano, a former Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) newscaster.

The actress is a mother of four grown-up boys, after the death of another years ago. All of them are married with families, and she is also a grandmother.

At some point when her children were young, some of them did not want to be identified as Mama Kayai’s children when in school.

“But when they grew up, they realized I was professionally engaged with the Vitimbi Group,” says Khavere, who loves dancing to Zilizopendwa and Rhumba music.

“I voluntarily stopped drinking alcohol two decades ago, but I’m a great fan of Rhumba and Zilizopendwa music. When I have time on weekends, I usually join friends to dance,” she says.

She is also involved in women’s financial groups (chamas) and itinerant businesses.

At her Nairobi residence, she is better known as Mama Ali.

“You cannot get me with the name Mama Kayai within the estates unless one is a newcomer here or doesn’t know me well,” she says.

Khavere loves Ugali with roasted chicken, which goes well with traditional vegetables like Mrenda (Jutemallow).

“When at home, I often cook for my grandchildren whatever they like, and that’s my joy,” she says.

“Living beyond my means is suicidal to me, and that’s been my secret weapon in life over the years,” she adds.

“Humility is another key factor that has guided me toward my achievements in life and has helped me avoid unnecessary family and life pressures,” she says.

At 61 years old and an experienced actress, Khavere attributes all her successes to God.

“It hasn’t been easy in this journey, but I must thank the Almighty God for seeing me through until now. Self-discipline has also been key to my success. Na sipendelei mambo mengi (I don’t like lots of pleasures). And that’s how I have managed to live through,” she says.

None of her grown-up sons has taken up her profession. One lives in the United States of America.

“I have visited him a number of times in the US, and the last time was last year when I spent a number of months there,” says the actress.

On religion, Khavere is a Muslim, and all her children have followed suit. She prays daily.

On the challenges facing the Vitimbi Comedy Group, she says their requests to entertain dignitaries on public holidays have been ignored for a long time.

“For a long time, we have never been invited to entertain President William Ruto, despite many requests. We have hit a dead end. Hopefully, it could happen in the future.”

Vitimbi actors were regular guests at State House during the time of the late President Daniel Arap Moi and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.

Khavere says Moi ordered that six of their group members be employed by the Ministry of Culture and Social Services.#

Presidential Favor

This group included the late Mzee Ojwang’ Hatari, Mama Kayai, Ondiek Nyuka Kwota, Mwala, the Vioja Mahakamani Prosecutor the late Benson Gathu, and Vioja Mahakamani Judge Lucy Wangui.

“And although some of us have since reached retirement age, we are lucky to have been employed on contracts,” says Khavere.

At one time, they were invited to entertain former President Moi in Kabarnet, Baringo. As they were preparing, it started raining, prompting the then Head of State to cancel the whole arrangement.

But Mzee Ojwang’ stepped forward and asked, “Mbona Mtukufu Rais waondoka na hatujakuburudisha (Your Excellency, why are you leaving when we haven’t entertained you yet)?”

Miraculously, the rains stopped, and President Moi returned to his seat.

She’s also full of praise for former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko, terming him philanthropic.

“Sonko fully assisted Mzee Ojwang’ when he was ailing until his death. People should be assisted when alive,” she says. She appealed to the former Governor to come to the aid of Ojwang’s widow.

And just like in other professions, she admits they also have rivals.

“Younger artists fear us, forgetting they must learn from our experience,” she said.

Another challenge still facing them is being sidelined by corporate entities that prefer using upcoming artists in their commercial adverts.

“We might appear expensive in commercial adverts, but we are equally ready to negotiate our rates with these entities as our work is of good quality, and cheap is expensive,” she says.

Khavere has toured Japan and Germany in the course of her work.

Asked how she juggles her work when on holiday, she says, “We are forced to shoot as many episodes as possible that could last the period I’m away.”

“That’s why our fans keep watching us on TV screens all the time without noticing our absence, whether we are there or not,” she says.