From the dirty corners of Kingston to the crime prone Lunga Lunga and kwa Reuben Slums, from the overpopulated Kayaba Slum and Crescent to the far corners of Fuata Nyayo and Marigu-ini Slums, from the small slums of Commercial and Kaverera to Kenya Wine, these names rings like wildfire in the ears of residents in the vast Mukuru Slums.
Mukuru Slums is home to professional footballer Patrick Oboya who had a spell in Europe and currently turns up for local side Gor Mahia FC, Denmark based left footed winger Maurice Odhiambo, Armature boxer and silver medalist at the 2010 commonwealth games in Delhi and 2012 Olympic games qualifier police officer Benson Gicharu Njangiru alias Mabeli, veteran Radio presenter Vincent Ateya, NTV’S Mark Maasai, AFC Leopards sensation Paul ‘Maldez’ Were, Gor Mahia’s youngster Kevin Omondi, former Gor Mahia player Ibrahim Kitawi, Sports Journalist Jeff Kinyanjui, human rights activist Laban Kuria currently in Canada, musician Kenzo Matata, international painter and artist Adam Masava, philanthropist and politician Isaac N. Okumu, Mukuru Slum News founder and Journalist Suleiman Chacha and the now famous and immensely talented Daniel Owira aka Otonglo, the form two Highway secondary school drama boy who won the president’s heart with a moving performance during the drama festival state house concert in Mombasa.
Owira took Kenya’s entertainment industry by Storm and he has been a darling to many since then. Despite having a very difficult childhood in Mukuru Fuata Nyayo slum, the talented young actor and narrator harbor big ambitions and aspirations. Apparently the young actor wants to be a lawyer contrary to the expectations and surprise of many.
Before the president’s golden touch earlier this year, the young talent, the last born in a family of 11 was living from hand to mouth in the crime prone slum. Life was difficult and all he held dear was his dream to one day become a renowned lawyer and help his family and fellow slum dwellers in the larger Mukuru Slums little did he know that his poverty stricken life was about to take a drastic turn that will eventually change his life and that of his siblings for the better.
“It started as a joke. At first I was a footballer but I had this passion of acting and I said to myself why not give it a short? But it was my Director Cliff Sidandi aka Nyakwar Dani who really encouraged me to join the drama club so the rest is history” says Otongolo
However, his fast rise to stardom came as a surprise even to himself. In just a short time he was walking on the moon with the who is who in the Kenyan entertainment industry.
“I edited the script to suit the occasion. I never really expected the outcome. I was preparing for the sake of it. It was my last performance so I gave it my best shot but I did not know it was going to end this way,” says Owira with a smile
Owira had difficulties paying his school fees but all his woes evaporated to thin air immediately he cracked the ribs of the country’s CEO and other top dignitaries on live national television during the performance.
Immediately after NTV highlighting his secondary school hiccups, top Kenyan Musician and kigeugeu hit maker Jaguar, businessman Ndindi Nyoro, Robert Mugubi and Doctor Mutua jumped to his rescue and offered to pay his school fees up to form four. Jaguar even went a step ahead and offered to take Owira’s younger sister who is disable to hospital for check up.
However, Owira’s moment of u- turn came when the head of state referred to him as ‘my son’ something
Owira says moved him and offered to pay his school fees.
The president calling me “one of my sons’ made me feel special. It was a miracle for a humble poor slum boy from a poor family taking his report form directly to the president in state house it was indeed a miracle. He changed my life when he offered to pay my school fees up to University level. He asked me to give good grades and not to abandon my talent,” he adds
The poverty stricken Mukuru Slums and the harsh reality in his neighborhood are some of the factors that are driving the young actor into pursuing law. He wants to become a lawyer in order to bring justice to the poor people of Mukuru.
‘’My family is my inspiration. Being the last born in a family of 11 is really challenging. I have a goal to achieve. I want to be a lawyer in future and my family is what drives me towards my success. When I see my poverty stricken family I feel like I need to do something. In the next 5 years I see myself doing law. I will also heed the president’s advice and continue with my acting talent. I really want to be a lawyer and work for the slum people who will need my support to bring justice to them,” Owira says confidently
With such great character and will power, it’s only a matter of time before Owira makes it to the corridors of power and justice and eventually achieve his dream of bringing the ever elusive justice to Mukuru people and other slum dwellers across the country but he also advices the slum youths to identify their talents and use them to their advantage.
“You can always make a U-turn. Identify and use your talents wisely and God will take you far with your talent. If God used me as an example to the slum youths and He has brought me this far, youths should stop engaging in crime and drug abuse and concentrate on their talents and studies cause it is never too late,” he says
Daniel Owira is quick to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of every Kenyan that supported him, his family that he says has stood by him through thick and thin, his teacher Mrs. Muchiri, his Director Cliff Ouma aka Nyakwar Dani, his head teacher Mr Maritim, his deputy Mr. Olong and all the staff of Highway secondary school because if not for them, he says he would not have achieved all that he has achieved.
His special thanks go to the president of the republic of Kenya His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta for helping him achieve his dreams through sponsoring his education but he says God who is in control and give praises to HIM for opening doors of opportunities for him.
“I would like to thank the President very much and tell him please Sir Keep with the same spirit and good heart of helping the needy. There are so many people like me in the slums who need your help and support. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your good heart and may GOD bless you and may you continue with the same spirit of helping those who need your help,” he concludes
