Nairobi Gossip & News: 10 Amazing Facts You Dint Know About Papa Shirandula’s Wilbroda

Jackline Nyaminde popularly known as Wilbroda or Awilo is one of the most talented actresses in Kenya and I bet that most people don’t know her other side of life.

Below are 10 amazing things that you probably didn’t know about her.

She was very tiny during her childhoodIf you see Wilbroda’s tall, elegant, curvaceous frame today-you cannot imagine she was a tiny bodied child.The first born in a family of six says her miniature frame did not please her, consequently making her to envy her playmates.“I played bladaa, bano, kalongo… In kalongo, I was always the child because I was very tiny. That used to hurt me! So, nilikuwa naambia yule alikuwa anafanya part ya jogoo, mmmh; baba na mama wakianza tu kulala hivi, wika ndiyo baba na mama wasipate fursa ya kufanya mchezo kasarani!”

She grew up in Nairobi West, Lang’ata and Nairobi WestWilbroda grew up in Nairobi West, Lang’ata and Rongai. Since her childhood, she has always been a darling to many.“I had a normal childhood. We were neither rich nor poor,” she said.Wilbroda says she recently visited the secondary school she attended, Koru Girls’ High School in Nyanza, where she gave a speech.“The girls were so excited to see me – they literally went wild. I was so humbled since I did not expect to receive such a reception. I gave them a serious talk!”

Can she remember the ‘serious talk’?

“I was shocked I could get that serious! I highlighted everything which is going wrong in the society, for example the case of students having sex in matatus. It is so heartbreaking! I insisted on telling them that they hold the keys to their own future. Their parents are painfully sacrificing to have them in school,” said a somber Nyaminde.

Wilbroda attended Kongoni and Uhuru Gardens Primary Schools in Nairobi for her primary education.

Fame, in Kenya, comes at a price – especially since many people get star-truck in the presence of TV personalities.

“There was a time I was in Mumias, and a lady just came and pinched me! She was like: ‘Haiya, kumbe wewe ni mtu!’ I was left wondering: if they see me on TV, do they think I am a Tom and Jerry character?” she said bursting into laughter.

The friendly artist added that, “Some even get shocked when they see me drive, and speak in English! I’ve heard people say: Haiya, kumbe unajuanga kizungu!”

She wasn’t interested in the ‘Wilbroda’ character at firstJacqueline says Charles Bukeko, alias Papa Shirandula, approached her with a script for the ‘Wilbroda’ character.Despite having reservations at first, she accepted after much persuasion.She narrated: “I used to do a lot of Luo plays at the Kenya National Theatre. So when Charles Bukeko approached me with a script of a Luo woman character, I auditioned.”

Adding: “He gave me the script which I initially wasn’t keen on. But Charles insisted I go through it. I read it, and I was like wow! The Wilbroda woman in the script is me! We later started shooting and it’s been eight years since. Wilbroda is not going anywhere anytime soon.”

In another life she would be a musicianIf she didn’t follow theatre, Nyaminde would have been a musician.“I wanted to be a musician, and it is something I am still passionate about. Back then, I did a lot of background vocals for Makadem, Idi Achieng, Eric Wainaina, Olith Ratego, Mumbi Kaigwa among other artistes.”Time, according to Nyaminde, is the biggest challenge she’s faced in following her musical ambitions.

“I’d love to do it still – I have been hitting the studio of late, working with Abby Nyinza. The biggest challenge I have faced is time because my schedule is tight.”

Besides being a comedienne, Wilbroda has many titles to her: a Radio Citizen host, an emcee, a commercials act among others.

She is a single mother to an adorable sonXolani Amin Okello – the name of Wilbroda’s son whom she is extremely proud of.Wilbroda admits that being a single mother has not been any easy.She told: “It has its challenges. Everyone looks down upon you because according to society a perfect family has a father, mother and child. Sometimes it’s not really out of choice.”

The dynamics of her relationship with her son are affected by her single-mom status.

“Sometimes when punishing him for a wrong he has committed’’

Courtesy of Citizen Digital