Editing Awinja (section)

== Career ==

=== Theatre Roots ===
Starting in 2008 with Theatrix Arts Ensemble, Vike dramatized school set books, later joining Heartstrings Kenya and Fire by Ten. Her standout performance at the Eastern Africa Theatre Institute festival in Addis Ababa sharpened her skills, setting the stage for her screen career.<ref name="whownskenya"/>

=== Film and Television ===
Vike debuted in *Wash and Set* as a schoolgirl and starred in the web series *Simiyu Samurai*. Her big break came in 2011 as Awinja in *Papa Shirandula*, a Citizen TV sitcom by Charles Bukeko. Awinja’s sassy Luhya charm made her a household name until the show ended in 2020.<ref name="tukotalks">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k5g7z8m9n0 |title=Tuko Talks: Jacky Vike on Comedy |publisher=Tuko TV |date=2023-06-10 |accessdate=2025-06-07}}</ref> She shone in films like *Nairobi Half-Life* (2012) and *Ni Sisi* (2013), showing her dramatic depth. In 2022, she joined Netflix’s *Click Click Bang*, and in 2025, she stars in *Inside Job*, a Netflix comedy with Mammito, playing cousins tackling injustice in a hilarious heist, directed by Tosh Gitonga.<ref name="sinemafocus"/>

=== Key Collaborations ===
Vike’s work with Charles Bukeko on *Papa Shirandula* defined her comedic voice. Her 2025 *Inside Job* role with Mammito, Shiksha Arora, Elyas Moshkwani, and Irene Kariuki, under Tosh Gitonga’s direction, was a dream project. “Tosh called, and we packed for Nanyuki,” she laughed.<ref name="sinemafocus"/> She’s teamed with Njugush for viral skits, like a 2023 Barbie parody, and organized Mammito’s 2025 baby shower, showing their tight bond.<ref name="pulselive_barbie">{{cite web |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/hi-barbies-and-ken-kenyan-content-creators-jump-on-the-barbie-movie-trend/ |title=Kenyan Creators Jump on Barbie Trend |publisher=Capital FM |date=2023-07-25 |accessdate=2025-06-07}}</ref><ref name="pulselive_shower">{{cite web |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/articles/entertainment/celebrities/jacky-vike-teams-up-with-friends-for-mammitos-baby-shower-2025020214315978908 |title=Jacky Vike Teams for Mammito’s Baby Shower |publisher=Pulse Live Kenya |date=2025-02-02 |accessdate=2025-06-07}}</ref> Her *Vienyeji* skits with Mammito and theatre work with Wilbroda cemented her status among Kenya’s top comedians.<ref name="opera_vienyeji">{{cite web |url=https://ke.opera.news/ke/en/entertainment/a227405dc9450d2218ce8fef1eae5d9e |title=Awinja and Mammito’s Vienyeji Comedy |publisher=Opera News |date=2023-09-10 |accessdate=2025-06-07}}</ref>

=== Radio and Digital Media ===
Vike’s radio gigs on Nairobi stations mix music and humor, connecting with diverse fans.<ref name="tukotalks"/> Her YouTube channel, [Awinja Nyamwalo](https://www.youtube.com/@AwinjaNyamwalo), hosts *Disco Matanga* (2024), with over 130,000 subscribers. *Disco Matanga 2* dropped in January 2025, boosting her digital clout.<ref name="ghetto_disco">{{cite web |url=https://ghettoradio.co.ke/jacky-vikes-disco-matanga-2-set-to-drop-on-8th-january/ |title=Disco Matanga 2 Set to Drop |publisher=Ghetto Radio |date=2025-01-05 |accessdate=2025-06-07}}</ref> With 2.5 million TikTok and 2 million Instagram followers, her Awinja skits—often in village attire—poke fun at Kenyan trends, landing brand deals.<ref name="pulselive_social">{{cite web |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/jacky-vike-social-media-queen/ |title=Jacky Vike’s Social Media Influence |publisher=Pulse Live Kenya |date=2024-03-20 |accessdate=2025-06-07}}</ref>

=== Music Ventures ===
In 2022, Vike released a comedic Valentine’s single, *Sio Lazima*, inspired by Mammito’s music ventures. It gained online buzz but didn’t spark a full music career.<ref name="sauce_music">{{cite web |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/jacky-vike-follows-in-mammitos-footsteps-tries-her-hand-at-music/ |title=Jacky Vike Tries Music with Sio Lazima |publisher=Capital FM |date=2022-02-14 |accessdate=2025-06-07}}</ref>

=== Brand Endorsements and Advocacy ===
Vike endorsed Luminarc in 2013, Naivas Supermarket, and Tusker, leveraging her relatability.<ref name="opera_vienyeji"/> In 2023, she became a Ministry of Health ambassador for Neglected Tropical Diseases, creating educational skits.<ref name="nairobi_ntd">{{cite web |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/awinja-named-health-ambassador-for-ntds/ |title=Awinja Named NTDs Ambassador |publisher=Nairobi News |date=2023-05-15 |accessdate=2025-06-07}}</ref> Her work on early childhood education advocacy emphasizes parental roles, blending humor with purpose.<ref name="nairobi_ntd"/>