Comedian Nyambane: We Paid Martha Karua Ksh 21M Over a Radio Comment

Veteran mimic comedian, Walter Mong’are, widely known as Nyambane, recently revealed a heavy price tag attached to his time on the radio. He was speaking on the Tubonge Podcast hosted by Chris The Bass.

Mong’are disclosed that an utterance made during his show led to a lawsuit that cost him KSh 21 million.

The Cost of Crossfire

Nyambane recounted the costly experience that occurred while he was hosting a popular radio show alongside his co-host, Caroline Mutoko. He explained that his co-host was "very, very upset" with Martha Karua one morning.

Although Mong’are stated that he himself never uttered anything that would be injurious to her, Ms Karua sued them. Mong’are recalled urging his co-host to "let it go" during the moment.

The lawsuit resulted in a significant financial penalty. Nyambane confirmed that the judgment required them to pay Ksh 21 million.

“Caroline and I were on air one morning, and I think she was very upset with Martha Karua, and whatever happened that morning, I never said anything that would get me to the corridors of justice, but Martha Karua sued us and we paid her Ksh 21 million,” Nyambane recalled.

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Both Walter Mong'are and Caroline were sued as individuals. This meant they found themselves in the docks, even though the radio station itself was also involved. Nyambane described the situation as taking a "shot for your partner".

Redykyulass: A Legacy of Political Satire

Before his successful radio career, Nyambane was famous as a member of the comedy group, Redykyulass. The group consisted of Tony, KJ, and Walter Mong’are himself. They met at Kenyatta University.

The group gained popularity for its political satire. Mong’are was often honoured to act as "the president" for the group.

Their shows focused on reflecting the ills in society through a sober, comedic perspective. Redykyulass’ main act was often the boss of the police chiefs, the president.

“It was comedy that was reflecting on the ills in society, but from a sober perspective. We laugh about it and then it sticks, and then you change.”

The group left the comedy scene in the middle of 2005. They aimed to move into the civic space, using art and music to influence how young people viewed politics and electoral processes. They encouraged young people to see voting as a civic duty.

From Comedy to Leadership

Mong’are, who was a presidential candidate in 2022, believes that comedy is a lifelong thing. He stresses that comedians must be very smart and clever.

Nyambane transitioned from comedy to radio and later into leadership and government. He served as a youth advisor to the fourth President, Uhuru Kenyatta, from 2017 until 2022.

Despite the costly incident, Mong'are noted that he and Ms Karua, the People’s Liberation Party leader, now meet. They discuss the country and leadership – but he has never mentioned the incident to her.