Local comedy show Vioja Mahakamani was the program one would not afford to miss in the 90s. Before their unceremonious exit from the popular comedy, there was Alfonse Dot Makacha Dot Makokha-real name Mathias Keya.
His story is that of resilience and self-belief devoid in most of us. According to the popular comedian, he first came to Nairobi in the 80s. Alfonse, in an interview in one of the leading dailies, recounted how he had to adjust to city life.
From being taught in mother tongue, the young impressionable Mathias had to learn English and Swahili to understand the ‘city’ teachers.
The funny man dropped out of school when he was in form two due to financial constraints. He thought his blossoming acting career had come tumbling down but that was just the beginning of his illustrious acting journey. He was to join Zuma Zuma that earned him a tour to South Korea.
Then lady luck came smiling when Mama Kayai of Vitimbi noticed his talent during a performance a city hotel in 1992. The veteran actress invited Makokha for a shoot and he went on to make it to the show without any auditions.
He has featured in Programs like Vitimbi-KBC,Vioja Mahakamani-KBC, Jungu Kuu-K24, Daktari-KTN, Hullabalo-Maisha Magic. The actor is married and blessed with four children.
According to blogger Robert Alai, Vioja and Vitimbi actors earned between kes250,000 to kes300,000 per month. The form two drop out has gone to perform for former Heads of State Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta in public functions.
Makokha, together with Ondiek Nyuka Kwota and Olexander Josephat bagged a Kalasha award for best comedy of the year 2017 with Hullabaloo that airs on Maisha Magic.