Kenyan telenovela star Pascal Tokodi has opened up about a pivotal moment in his acting career, crediting retired President Uhuru Kenyatta for significantly boosting his visibility in the entertainment industry.
Tokodi recalled the unexpected encounter, which occurred in 2021, when he bumped into the then-president outside the State House.
At the time, President Kenyatta was without his usual security detail, allowing for a brief yet impactful exchange.
In a video that quickly went viral, Tokodi is seen enthusiastically greeting the Head of State before urging him to watch the popular telenovela Selina, which aired on Maisha Magic East.
Reflecting on the moment, Tokodi said that the brief interaction not only changed his life but also propelled Selina to unprecedented popularity.
“That encounter was iconic. It made the Selina telenovela bigger than ever. A lot of people who didn’t know about the show started watching it, and I really want to thank Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, His Excellency, for creating such a huge impact in my life,” Tokodi said.
Choosing to Promote His Craft Over Asking for Money
Tokodi also addressed criticism from some people who felt he missed a golden opportunity to ask President Kenyatta for financial assistance.
He defended his decision, explaining that he chose to market his work instead, as it had the potential to yield more long-term benefits.
“I didn’t want to ask him for anything. I just wanted to push my craft, and then I’d make money from it. If you depend on asking for money, sometimes you won’t get it,” he said.
Tokodi stated that he believes in the principle of being taught how to fish rather than being given a fish. “That moment was unexpected, but it was all God’s doing. Since then, the places I’ve been, the people I’ve met, and the countries I’ve traveled to for shooting—it’s all God,” he added.
No Regrets, Only Gratitude
Looking back, Tokodi says he has no regrets about how he handled the encounter with President Kenyatta. In fact, he insists that if he met the former president today, he would do the same thing.
“Truth is, I asked all these questions, but the camera was off. I was very happy when he said he watches Selina. I thought I would use my 15 seconds to promote myself. It was a very beautiful day,” he said.
He added that by encouraging Kenyatta to watch the show, he was also promoting the Kenyan entertainment industry as a whole.
“By extension, he would get a chance to see what immensely talented Kenyans are capable of doing and, maybe, consider doing something more for them,” Tokodi noted.
Watch the interview below:
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