Awinja: I own over 30 ‘Kamisis’ for my acting roles
Former “Papa Shirandula” actor Jacky Vike, fondly known as Awinja, has revealed a fascinating side to her life as she discloses owning an impressive collection of over 30 “Kamisis” for her various roles.
Beyond her iconic television persona that exudes a rustic and old-fashioned charm, Awinja is a multi-talented and well-known online comic who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry.
Awinja initially rose to fame with her portrayal of a housekeeper in the popular Citizen TV comedy series, “Papa Shirandula,” a role that catapulted her to stardom.
However, her talent and versatility go beyond the confines of television.
In addition to her memorable stint on “Papa Shirandula,” she has also made her mark in major film roles, including appearances in notable Kenyan films such as “Nairobi Half-Life” and “Click Click Bang.”
Her success in the comedy genre continues to shine as she acts alongside some of the most successful Kenyan comedy movies and drama series.
Speaking about her unique collection of “Kamisis,” Awinja revealed her motivation for these traditional petticoats in her wardrobe.
“I started including ‘Kamisis’ because I wanted to emulate that primitive girl back in the village. ‘Kamisis’ was a vibe back then. I started building that character. I own about 30 of them, in different colors and designs, including both full and half ones. I can’t reveal where I buy them from.”
Asked how she chooses what to wear, Awinja said:
“What determines what color to wear is the contrast. If I am wearing a green dress, the petticoat has to be of a different color.”
Despite her on-screen transformation, Awinja’s true character has won the heart of her biggest fan—her son.
She shared that her son loves her acting persona and even watches her videos online.
“My son is like, oh my God, Mum? But sometimes he calls me Awinja, and sometimes I find him watching my videos on YouTube.”
During the interview, Awinja also took a moment to reflect on the painful loss of their father in the entertainment industry, the iconic Charles Bukeko alias Papa Shirandula.
She described the difficulty of dealing with his passing and how it brought the family closer.
“It was really hard to lose our dad. He had brought us together, and we used to spend so much time together. We felt like we did not mourn him enough since he died during the Covid-19 pandemic. Everything just happened very fast, and we did not come to terms with that.”
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