10 Celebrities That Were Raised In Kibera Slum. Johnson Mwakazi And Octopizzo Lead The Line (Photos)

It’s the largest urban slum in the entire African continent. Kibera is estimated to be housing 200,000 to 1 million people; among them are popular celebrities who make headlines in the country.

In as much as slums are associated with all kinds of evil in society, there are celebrities who have spent the better part of their lives there, rising to positions of prominence and defying all the stereotypes associated with informal settlements.

Life in the slum is no joke, seeing these news makers breaking free from the chains of poverty in Kibera to curve a niche for themselves in their respective haven calls for a standing ovation.

                                               Johnston Mwakazi

On top of the list is former Citizen TV news anchor, Johnston Mwakazi.  The revered anchor spent most of his time as a youth in Kibera. He has never been ashamed to narrate the kind of life he lived in the slum. (Will be proud to tell you his whole story next time.)

                                                                        Octopizzo

Perhaps he is the finest export to ever come out of Kibera. To date, Octopizzo is still very proud of his hood. All of his names have something to do with Kibera in one way or another. The name ‘Octopizzo’ and ‘Namba Nane’ resonates with his former hood. ‘Octopizzo’ (Octopus) has eight tentacles, the figure represent the route number used by Kibera’s Matatus (So is the name Namba Nane.) Octo is also one of the finest rappers the country has ever had, whenever he takes the stage, you can be sure Kibera will be well represented.

                                                                     Larry Asego

Classic FM’s Larry Asego is also one of Kibera’s exports. The renowned presenter called the slum home for a long time before he found his way to the City’s leafy suburb. He too has never hidden the fact that part of his life was shaped by Kibera.

 

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                                                         Abel Mutua

Did you know Abel Mutua once lived in Kibera? Well, the Hapa Kule News star hasn’t been very vocal about his life at the slum. Sources told Ghafla! Abel lived in Karanja area of Kibera. (His family still lives there.) Abel reportedly moved out of Kibera when he tied the knot to the lover of his life.

                                             Robert Agengo

Former Mali actor, Robert Ageng’o was also brought up in Kibera before he crossed the border to seek cleaner air to breath. Though his face might not be familiar to many, the actor has casted for popular TV series namely; Makutano Junction, Mnet’s Kona among many other plays.

                                                              Kriss Darling

Renowned Reggae DJ, Kris Darling, was not only brought up in Kibera, he still lives there up to date. Unlike other celebrities who moved out of Kibera when they made it, Kriss has been reluctant to change his hood. He even owns a bar at Ayany in Kibera. By the way, the pretty lady he was tirelessly pursuing during his teenage days still lives there, Ayany U-17. Kriss has also married Dennis Oliech’s sister plus he drives a high-end BMW.

 

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                                         Dennis Oliech

Talking of Oliech, he too lived in the country’s largest slum. His talent saw him kick poverty out of the way. Oliech was proudly representing Kibera on the international stage before he was met with numerous controversies that smeared dirt on his CV making him ‘irrelevant’.

                                            Smart Joker

After Octo, former Churchill Show comedian, Smart Joker, is the next proudest celebrity to have come out of Kibera. He sufficiently represented the Ghetto during his heydays at Churchill. (He never forgot to mention his hood while on stage.)

                                                                            Lavin Asego

Kibera is delighted to have Lavin Asego represent it in rugby. Yes, Lavin and Larry are siblings (In case you are wondering.) Lavin was brought up in Ayany, Kibera just like his brother. The mother still lives there till now.

                                                                        Edwin Lavatsa

Last but not least is former Gor Mahia’s striker Edwin Lavatsa. The football player who currently plays his professional football in Algeria can also be traced among the celebrities who once dwelled in Kibera. There are many footballers who still call Kibera home but Lavatsa is the most popular figure of them all.

There you go, which celeb do you think we left out? Put your comment below and we will include them as well.