The increasing popularity of social media platforms has created new avenues for creatives to make money, given the joblessness in the country.
Meshack Kiprop Biwott popularly known as Arap Uria is one of the content creators making it big in the comedy industry after successfully establishing a niche for himself.
Uria is known for his prowess in imitating individuals, notably the celebrated English football commentator Peter Drury and local politicians.
What many people don’t know is that Uria is a teacher by profession. Being the firstborn in a family of eight, Uria revealed his dream was to be a journalist, but due to pressure from his parents, he had to pursue a Bachelor of Education at Masinde Muliro University.
He trained as a mathematics and geography teacher but ditched the teaching career for comedy , before even stepping into a teaching class.
“I am a teacher by profession but I have not gone to any school to teach, I am still concentrating on my comedy career,” he said in a past interview.
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Uria, who has so far made great strides in the comedy industry started by mimicking political leaders but switched to imitating Peter Drury after realizing his previous content was attracting negative impressions.
“I noticed that immitating political leaders was not a neutral ground for my audience due to people’s political differences. I had to look for a neutral ground and I found what I love the most and that was football and impersonating Drury who is my favourite football commentator. ”
“Football as a sport is a game that brings people together without consideration of their age, gender, race or class, so I saw it as something that would impress my fans,” he said.
In December last year, he became an online sensation after finally meeting Drury in Qatar after taking to X to appeal for a sit-down with the iconic commentator best known for his expressive and literate style of commentary.
The 28-year-old father of one credits his success to social media platforms which he describes as a big breakthrough for the content creators who were initially jobless, including him.
“The revenue we earn from content creation has improved our lives. I commercialise it to make money through advertising and brand endorsement. I also emcee at weddings and pre-weddings,” he says.
He advised anyone intending to try content creation to be unique, creative, put in hard work as well as believe in their selves no matter the setbacks.
