'Mzee Ojwang's wife accused me of stealing her husband,' Veteran Vitimbi actor Mama Kayai recalls

Piece by: Caren Nyota
Lifestyle

Aisha Khavere Matindo popularly known as Mama Kayai from popular TV series Vitimbi, which was the most-watched back in the 1990s is a force to reckon.

The actress, a former traditional dancer also acted in Vioja Mahakamani and recently Jungu Kuu. Mama Kayai played the role of the late Mzee Ojwang's wife in Vitimbi.

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Speaking in an interview with Jalang'o on how she got the role, she said,

Niikingia sikuwa bibi ya mzee Ojwang. nilianza kama customer, producer akasema mbona tusimjaribu huyu mama? Nikaweza then from their I got the role.

From there, many knew her as Mzee Ojwang's wife and that was a problem to his family.

'I had a very big problem with Ojwang's wife. Alinizushia akaniambia mimi ndio nachukua bwanake. She did not understand that we were just acting. Alikuwa anaona kwa TV anaona ni ukweli. Ojwang alijaribu kumuelezea but hakusikia. Alikuwa anasema huyo ndio anachukua pesa zako (She accused me of trying to steal her husband and taking his money] but people had to intervene and explain to her it was acting and there was nothing between us. It took her time to understand and finally she did,' Mama Kayai recalled.

Adding,

Lakini nimepitia shida nyingi sana na famiiia ya Ojwang. Ilikuwa inauma maanake naambiwa kitu hakuna lakini nilikuwa naelewa ni kazi lakini yule mama naye haelewi kama ni kazi. Ojwang hakuwahi nikatia. Tulikuwa tunaheshimiana tuu kikazi.

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The legendary actress said she loved to work with Mzee Ojwang among other few actors because they had great teamwork.

'I miss mzee Ojwang a lot. At times we think about him, talk about him, and remember the funny man he was,' she said.

Vitimbi was later cancelled from airing on KBC after 30 years and Mama Kayai said they were told,

'Mmezeeka tunataka vijana [You're too old we want youngsters]. Kuna mama pale KBC alisema ati hata Vitimbi na Vioja MAhakamani ni vipindi za zamani hazina maana. Yetu ilitolewa ndio Vioja wakajitoa wenyewe.' 

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