Alex Wamatu is a renowned figure in the comedy industry owing to his alias, Kinyash. He is most recognized for his cast role on the prank show Pasua and TV Comedy Classmates, that aired on KBC and KTN.
Kinyash hails from Mwimuto in Kiambu County. He was raised by a single mother alongside 2 younger sisters. From a young age, Kinyash learned that he had to work hard, and nobody was coming to ‘spoon-feed’ him.
Kinyash Comedy Career
He began his acting career in the year 2009. At the time, he had no job and grappled with life’s hardships. Kinyash lived with a few of his friends. Even affording a meal for him was difficult.
It was during these moments that Kinyash got the idea to try a prank show. The traction he and his friends received was encouraging. The Pasua Show ran for almost 10 years, airing on KBC & KTN from 2010 to 2018.
“Because of my love for arts in general, this came naturally for me. I would have so much fun during shoots and even manage to escape my life frustrations,” he said in a past interview.
The Pasua Show gave Kinyash his big breakthrough into the entertainment industry, opening doors to shows such as Classmates and a few others.
Additionally, in 2013, he was nominated for the Kalasha Awards under the category of Best TV Comedian of the Year.
Kinyash is a father and husband. He revealed that both his names expressed different personas. Alex is a family man, while Kinyanjui is a public figure.
“Immediately I leave home, Kinyanjui takes over, as Alex takes a break unless he necessarily has to be present,” he mentioned.
He plays the role of Kinyanjui on the KBC show Classmates which airs every Saturday at 7:30 pm.
Kinyanjui, shortened to Kinyash for convenience, is a character with a heavy Kikuyu accent who annoys and rescues his fellow classmates.
Alex has a YouTube Channel, Kinyash TV, that has a following of over 176,000. His YouTube channel, created on January 16th, 2015, has over 37 million views since he started his comedy journey.
Kinyash revealed that he sources his inspiration for comedy and the Kinyanjui role from the numerous hustling Kenyans out there. These people have been his greatest fans all through.
“I’d say it’s an opportunity of telling our stories; the hustling Kenyan stories, but in a comical way. Most of my stories are those that an ordinary person, including myself, encounters.”
He also attributes the success to his family, who consistently support him even during challenging times, especially as his responsibilities as a father continue to grow.
“And my family too keeps me going on. As a man, I have to provide, or rather give a better lifestyle than what I grew up in,” he noted.
Kinyash has partnered with several Kenyan comedians, including Jaymo Ule Msee. He asserted that Kenya is blessed to have humorous comedians who rarely disappoint with their skits.
“I think we complement each other really well. Internationally, I’d say Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell. These guys are so funny; I can’t get enough of them,” he noted when asked about his role models.
Mwimuto Wailers FC
Kinyash, in a recent interview, disclosed that he also owns Mwimuto Wailers Football Club. The Football Club plays in Division One of the National League. According to the club’s Facebook About page, it has sourced most of its players from Lower Kabete.
Kinyash stated that he works on the Club as a passion project. The club was initially founded by Reggae music enthusiasts but had been dwindling until Kinyash decided to breathe life into it in January 2023.
Kinyash hopes to nurture young football talents in his club, such that it can be a stepping stone to greater miles such as the English Premier League.
He views the club as a positive outlet for the youth, and despite facing financial constraints in managing it, he is not motivated by any personal gain.