Actor and Comedian Timothy Kimani, popularly known as Njugush, has recently been the subject of heated online debate regarding his comedy shows.
This is after musician Jua Kali claimed that Njugush is a good actor but a poor standup comedian after what was perceived by some critics as a poor performance in Australia.
But in a hard hitting rejoinder, the comedian came out to say that he has been packing shows in the US, the UK and Australia even though some people claimed that he would amount to nothing when he started with the highly acclaimed show, Househelps of Kawangware.
Indeed, his story is that of grass to grace. A while back, he revealed the first salary he was paid at the start of his career as an entertainer.
Njugush’s confession was in response to a tweet who had asked netizens to share details of their first salary and which job it was.
The comedian answered by saying that his first monthly salary was Sh. 2,800 on a show on television.
The exploitative producer of the TV show kept telling Njugush to ignore the peanuts he was being paid and take advantage of the platform and exposure he was getting.
@tyrus asked; “Quote this with your very first salary and what job it was. Personally started off at a cyber café in makings Sh. 8,000.”
Njugush answered by tweeting; “Utumbuizaji kwenye runinga sh. 2800 taslimu.”
Another tweep asked; “Per day ama?” The comedian answered; “per month ….. malipo main ilikuwa platform.”
Njugush who a few years ago was known to less than a handful of people, has now grown to become one of most recognisable faces in the entertainment circles in Kenya.
“Starting out bana nilikua nimeparara sana. There was no Njugush just a young guy trying to make it in life. Kuosha masahani kwa hoteli, auditions hapa na pale.”