Joseph Omari, widely known as Mr. Tembo, remains one of the most recognizable faces in Kenyan television drama. As a pioneer actor in the popular series Tahidi High, he became a household name through his commanding presence and memorable performances that shaped school-based drama storytelling in Kenya.
Born on 20th December 1942 and raised in Nairobi after being born in Kisii, Mr. Tembo has lived a long and eventful life both on and off screen. His early education began at Nairobi Primary School, formerly Government Primary School, and later continued in Machakos High School, where he actively participated in choir and drama. He later trained in Mechanical Engineering at the Railway Training Institute, showing his diverse talents beyond the arts.
Family has been a central pillar in his life. A father, grandfather, and great-grandfather with six great-grandchildren, he often reflects on the importance of investing in family relationships. Some of his children live and work in Norway and Sweden, and he proudly acknowledges that his earlier sacrifices ensured they are now able to support him comfortably in return. He firmly believes that family investment is the strongest form of security in old age.
Before acting, Mr. Tembo worked as a postal clerk and later became deeply involved in trade unionism, even serving as president of the Kenya Musicians Union. His journey into entertainment began with performances in Uganda, where he also studied trade unionism at Makerere University.
His acting breakthrough came with roles in productions like KBC’s Broken Hearts, before joining Tahidi High in 2006 as the strict deputy principal, later becoming principal. He shared the screen with the fictional character Ms Morgan, whose clashes with him became a fan favorite storyline.
He also appeared in productions such as Santalai alongside Desmond Elliot and in Sue na Johnnie, created by former students Abel Mutua and Philip Karanja. Today, Mr. Tembo remains vocal about improving Kenya’s acting industry, especially on fair pay and the importance of financial discipline and investment.