Awinja
| |
| Jacky Vike in 2025 | |
| Background information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jacky Vike |
| Stage name | Awinja |
| Born | 8 September 1987 (age 37) Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Tribe | Luhya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Occupation | Actress · Comedian · Radio Presenter · Content Creator |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | Papa Shirandula (Awinja) · Nairobi Half-Life · Inside Job · Disco Matanga |
| Spouse | Alfred Ngachi |
| Children | 1 son |
| Social media | Instagram: @jackyvike · TikTok: @jackyvike |
Jacky Vike, born September 8, 1987, and better known as Awinja, is a 37-year-old Kenyan actress, comedian, radio presenter, and content creator who stole hearts as the cheeky housemaid Awinja in *Papa Shirandula* on Citizen TV. Her infectious humor, rooted in her Luhya heritage, and knack for capturing Kenyan life have made her a comedy icon. “Eastleigh taught me to laugh through chaos,” she once said, reflecting her gritty Nairobi upbringing.[1] With 2.5 million TikTok followers, a YouTube hit in *Disco Matanga*, and a 2025 Netflix comedy *Inside Job* alongside Mammito, Vike’s star shines bright.[2][3] Married to Alfred Ngachi with an 8-year-old son, she balances fame with family, advocating for women’s empowerment while navigating minor debates over her comedic style.[1]
Early Life[edit | edit source]
Jacky Vike was born in Nairobi’s Eastleigh on September 8, 1987, growing up in a tight-knit Luhya family of four siblings, where she was the third-born. Her bustling estate life sparked her comedic flair. After her father’s death during high school, her mother, a businesswoman, kept the family afloat, sending Vike to Heshima Road Primary School and Kegoye High School in Western Kenya.[1] “I learned to find joy in tough times,” she shared.[1] Skipping college to chase acting dreams—against her mother’s wish for her to become an air hostess—Vike joined theatre troupes through mentor Joel Kennedy Otukho, performing educational plays across Kenya.[4]
Career[edit | edit source]
Theatre Roots[edit | edit source]
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.[4]
Film and Television[edit | edit source]
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.[5] 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.[2]
Key Collaborations[edit | edit source]
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.[2] She’s teamed with Njugush for viral skits, like a 2023 Barbie parody, and organized Mammito’s 2025 baby shower, showing their tight bond.[6][7] Her *Vienyeji* skits with Mammito and theatre work with Wilbroda cemented her status among Kenya’s top comedians.[8]
Radio and Digital Media[edit | edit source]
Vike’s radio gigs on Nairobi stations mix music and humor, connecting with diverse fans.[5] 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.[9] 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.[10]
Music Ventures[edit | edit source]
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.[11]
Brand Endorsements and Advocacy[edit | edit source]
Vike endorsed Luminarc in 2013, Naivas Supermarket, and Tusker, leveraging her relatability.[8] In 2023, she became a Ministry of Health ambassador for Neglected Tropical Diseases, creating educational skits.[12] Her work on early childhood education advocacy emphasizes parental roles, blending humor with purpose.[12]
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
- Jacky Vike, a Luhya from Eastleigh, Nairobi, is 37 years old, born September 8, 1987.[1] Married to film director Alfred Ngachi (Simatwa Ngachi), she has an 8-year-old son born in 2017. “Being a mum keeps me real,” she shared, keeping her son’s life private but posting heartfelt motherhood moments.[1] **Awinja car? Awinja net worth?** In 2023, she bought a white Jeep, celebrating her hustle: “From hiring Jeeps to owning one!”[3] She loves its vintage vibe but mulled a color change.[13] Her net worth, estimated at KSh 10–20 million, comes from acting, endorsements, and digital platforms.[14] Living in Nairobi, she keeps her home private, known for bold fashion and family-first values.[14] Vike champions women’s empowerment, tackling motherhood and fame’s challenges.[5]
Comparisons and Controversies[edit | edit source]
- No major scandals plague Vike, but her Awinja character’s Luhya portrayal stirs occasional debate over rural stereotypes. “I celebrate my roots, not mock them,” she insists.[10] Critics see outdated tropes; fans love the authenticity.[15] Her *Vienyeji* skits with Mammito faced similar critique but won wide praise.[8] Compared to Wilbroda and Mammito, Vike carves a unique niche in female-led comedy, with no feuds noted.[8]
Filmography[edit | edit source]
| Type | Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Television | Papa Shirandula | 2011–2020 | Awinja |
| Television | Ni Sisi | 2013 | Lead |
| Television | Wash and Set | Unknown | Schoolgirl |
| Film | Nairobi Half-Life | 2012 | Supporting |
| Film | Click Click Bang | 2022 | Supporting |
| Film | Inside Job | 2025 | Lead |
| Digital | Simiyu Samurai | Unknown | Lead |
| Digital | Disco Matanga | 2024 | Lead |
Music[edit | edit source]
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sio Lazima | 2022 | Lead Artist |
Awards[edit | edit source]
| Award | Category | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| TUKO Entertainment Awards | Content Creator | 2024 | Nominated[16] |
| Various | Actress of the Year | Multiple | Nominated[4] |
| Various | Best Female Comedian | Multiple | Nominated[4] |
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Jacky Vike’s Awinja is a Kenyan comedy staple, weaving Luhya culture into universal laughs. From *Papa Shirandula* to *Inside Job* and *Disco Matanga*, she’s redefined women’s comedy. “I’m here to spark joy and pride,” she said.[5] Her advocacy for health and education, paired with her unstoppable spirit, makes her a cultural gem.[12]
External Links[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Template:Cite web
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Template:Cite web
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Template:Cite web
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Template:Cite web
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Template:Cite web
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Template:Cite web
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Template:Cite web
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Template:Cite web
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ Template:Cite web