Desmond Otieno Owino alias ‘Wamama’ needs no introduction. The online ‘comedian’ commands a huge following on Facebook thanks to his immense popularity in the ‘Kilimani Mums’ group.
The King of ‘Wamama’ opens up about his fame, childhood, his admirers, and his plans for the future.
What’s with all these nicknames and do you even remember all of them?
My official name is Desmond Otieno Owino. But I call myself ‘Mfalme Tajiri Mkuu’ on social media because I’ve always had the desire to become a very rich man…and a king too! I have other nicknames: Pastor – because I loved praying; and Owino Mawe – which I was given by locals in Korogocho due to my dad’s nature of work. He used to sell stones to women, so he was nicknamed Owino Mawe, and we shared the nickname.
Would you say your childhood was good?
Well, it was normal. I was born in 1988 at Korogocho in a family of nine – six boys and three girls. I’m the second-born. I went to St Valentine’s Secondary School after finishing my primary education at Korogocho Primary School.
I attained a D minus, but I still wanted to join university to study political science because I always wanted to ‘rule’. However, since I lacked school fees, I resorted to ferrying luggage for businesspeople at Korogocho market. In 2014, I got an opportunity to work in Oman. I had applied for jobs in the Middle East for three years with no success. So, when this opportunity came, I was elated.
How was life there?
My designated job at the time was to work as a cook, but things changed when I arrived in that country. I had no teeth so I was instead reassigned to clean toilets at night. I was being paid Sh10,000 per month.
Cleaning toilets?
Imagine! I felt so bad when I was assigned this job. It was disgusting. Guys there don’t flush toilets and so you can imagine how bad the situation was.
I was stressed and lonely, since I had no one to talk to. To stay sane and relieve stress, I posted photos and videos online and the feedback I received was overwhelming.
Did that make you feel better?
Oh yes! I realised that many people were happy when they watched the funny videos and photos. So, I made it a routine of going Live on Facebook every day and shared how my day was. Guys would laugh and this made me very happy.
Then you joined the famous Kilimani Mums group…
I first started with the group, Kenyans in Gulf, then I joined Kenyans in Majuu before I discovered Kilimani Mums.
This is where I was given the name ‘Wamama’ because it was my intro signature in the group. I always address everyone in Kilimani Mums as wamama.
Let’s talk about your ‘nudes’ and love of posting ‘half-naked’ videos.
I think it all started when my nudes were leaked by a woman I was dating online. She demanded I send her Sh50,000 or she would unleash my nude photos.
Before I could even send her the money, she posted the photos online. That’s why I decided to entertain people with half-nude photos and videos. Thank God most of my family members are not on Facebook, so they didn’t see them.
You mentioned that you have received many marriage proposals.
Yes. The women in Kilimani Mums Facebook group have seriously fallen in love with me, especially now that I’ve become popular. My inbox is always full. So many have asked me to marry them and even visit their homes.
However, I am a principled man and I don’t want to land in any trouble. I am glad for the love my fans show me. A well-wisher went the extra mile of even fixing my teeth. I can now smile confidently.
What are your ambitions?
I’m planning to set up a shop for women products then I marry one of the wamamas because they’re the people who have made me famous. I must always stay closer to them.
