Charlie Mwamba (mother-in-law)'s Biography, Age, Spouse, Tribe, Real Name, Networth and Lifestyle Wikidata | Claim this profile

Charlie Mwamba (mother-in-law)'s Biography in Summary

Kenyan playwright Patrick Oketch is a well-known Kenyan television personality who rose to prominence on Citizen TV's comedy-drama "Mother-in-Law."

He is well-known for his portrayal of "Charlie," but his path to the top has not been easy. He was once fired after only three episodes of another Citizen TV show, "Tahidi High."

While Oketch's acting career has often served as an inspiration, it is his backstory that is truly inspirational.

Here's Oketch's untold childhood story.

How did you spend your childhood?

I was born many years ago in Mathare, where I spent my childhood. In 1981, we relocated to Madiwa in Eastleigh.

My father died when I was only ten years old, in 1991. My four brothers and I were forced to rely on my mother. I struggled to relate to girls because I grew up in a boys-only household.

In fact, most of the time, my idea of 'tuning' a girl was as simple as walking up to her and blurting it out: "Naitwa Peter, nakutaka." Nipende!"  Instead of receiving love, I received a lot of slaps. And you can imagine how difficult it was with my face! We never had any luxury or comfort as children. Meal skipping was the order of the day.

How was your school experience?

I was denied admission to the university because I fell just one point short of the cut-off mark. It was excruciating because I was placed in the same category as students who received 'Ds' and 'Es.'

Worse, the guys who went to college returned with swag. Some would brag about their courses, such as anthropology, which made me wonder what in the name of God that was.

 So, what alternatives did you consider?

I decided to become a tout, but it was too difficult. It was too much to wake up every day and shout, "Tao! Tao! Tao!" I eventually got a job at a mjengo. I never returned to school because I saw no point in studying.

My younger brother applied for me to attend a teacher training college, which my aunt generously offered to fund. So, despite my reservations, I enrolled in teacher training.  I later worked as a P1 teacher at Thogoto before taking a teaching job in the Soweto slums, where I earned Sh3,000 per month.

 What happened after that?

In 2007, I resigned from my teaching position.  I trekked from Embakasi to the Kenya National Theatre, where I met comedian Jalang'o, armed with the art of letter writing (I used to write letters for my friends' girlfriends in high school for Sh20).

After we talked, he asked me to translate a 200-page play into Dholuo. I worked on the document for 48 hours and it eventually became the well-known Mayie Love.

Even though the payments were made in installments, I earned Sh5,000 for the first time in my life. I auditioned for commercials, and despite Tony of Redykyulass's reservations because I was a new face, I was accepted.

Was this your most significant breakthrough?

Not at all. After only three episodes, I was fired from Tahidi High. Then, in 2008, Mother-In-Law was just getting started, and I got a call to play Charlie.

Charlie, the drunkard, is my creation; he was not in the original script.  

I began writing the scripts and was unable to obtain credit for nearly a year. But I knew exactly where I was going. Now, I write them with all the credits and am well compensated for it.

What has changed in your life since joining the cast of 'Mother-In-Law?'

Life has evolved. I'm now happily married and have a family. But that isn't all. I am now in my second year of theatre arts and film at Kenyatta University.

I am employed there full-time. I'm going a long way because I'm standing on a rock rather than sand.