TAHIDI HIGH CURSE: ACTORS SUFFERING AFTER LEAVING THE SHOW

In the recent past, Kenyans have been treated to surprise revelations and financial appeals from a section of celebrities especially those in the entertainment industry. Aside from job loses, a section of actors from Tahidi High have came out and opened up about their struggle with alcoholism and depression owing to bad management of their funds.

It later emerged that most of them at the time had all the money and engage in other form of leisure which mainly revolved around alcohol consumption. With the already existing challenges, covid-19 pandemic struck making it worse for the thespians famed for their roles on the top-rated Citizen TV drama series. Here are actors from the show that have came out and told their story.

Joseph Kinuthia aka Omosh

The sensational actor made headlines in February this year after revealing how 2020 was a difficult year for him, as the covid-19 pandemic hugely affected the entertainment industry. Speaking during an interview, the actor explained the unbearable pain of watching people going to work while he had nothing to do.

“There is nothing as hard as waking up every morning and there is nowhere, I am going. You see people going to work and coming back and you have nowhere to go. It is very painful,” he stated. He also said that he was depending on his friends, adding that he was facing eviction over Sh150,000 rent arrears. “Life has been so difficult. I cannot provide meals for my family. My children are even wondering what has become of me,” he added.

However, days after telling his story, the thespian was overwhelmingly helped by Kenyans. A social media post made by Jalang’o in February shared a detailed statement of pledges he had received totalling to Sh1, 050, 000, plus Sh20,000 shopping voucher, a free bed, seats and a TV. Omosh was also handed a free plot of land plus 50 bags of cement by ZeroHero properties.

“Of all the presents I’ve ever been given in my whole life, this is the best one I’ve ever gotten. These are people who are concerned about me and my fate. I was in a very bad situation, at least I can now afford a smile. Although you see me crying, these are tears of happiness. Thank you for supporting me. God bless you,” he said.

Angel Waruinge aka Miss Morgan

Speaking with Radio Jambo’s Massawe Japani, Miss Morgan shared her battle with depression and alcoholism that came about soon after exiting Tahidi High. “I honestly don’t know what caused my depression. I just felt the need to come out and speak on my struggle with depression and also alcoholism, especially in our industry. Let me speak for myself, I think most celebrities fall into depression, number one because they are not prepared for fame. When you are famous you become an easy target and people will judge you for the simplest thing.

So, you end living life as per the expectations of society whilst trying to be yourself. Because of this you go home and put down the mask you have been wearing the whole day to fit in and yet that is not who you are. I am not Miss Morgan, I am Angel Waruinge, those are two very different people,” she said.

Bernard Mwangi aka Mweposi

Mweposi famed for his role on Tahidi High, he also came out and shared his battle with alcoholism for years. “In all my youth, I never consumed alcohol. I was a very upright person that loved God and even preached his word here and there. Even when I was joining Tahidi High, I was a very clean, but unfortunately, I slipped. It was while I was acting in Tahidi High that I started taking alcohol. But it got worse in 2011 when my family split. Owing to this fact I became depressed and sunk deeper into alcohol,” he said in an interview.

He also added that unfavourable acting conditions in Kenya led to actors living their lives without proper planning. “When Omosh came out and said he didn’t have anything, it is true and very possible that he actually didn’t have anything because when you commit yourself to acting, there is nothing else you can do because you will be called upon anytime the producer wants you.This limits you from looking for work elsewhere. The situation gets even worse if you have been paid the retainer fee. This is the money you are paid to retain you as an actor which just means you cannot commit yourself elsewhere and need to avail yourself whenever they need you,” he added.

Dennis Mugo aka OJ

In 2020, the former Tahidi High actor opened up about his battle with alcoholism that hugely affected his health and relationship.  Speaking on his YouTube channel OJ FLiX, he revealed that he started smoking while in Form 2 and drinking alcohol in Form 3.

“I learnt alcoholism and smoking along the way. I remember I started smoking while I was in form 2. In form three I started taking alcohol and I honestly drank anything that came my way as long as its alcohol. From chang’aa to the high-end brands all of them. My drinking was bad. I was even prayed for by a pastor, he lay his hands on me and all that and even had counselling sessions for weeks, but after that I still went back to drinking,” he noted.

He added that he later moved in with her mother, before moving to his own place in Syokimau and got his life back on track.  “When I moved in with my mother, I was not drinking and I had to change my circle of friends. I started going to work, which I had abandoned due to my drinking and my son also came to visit and I got to build my relationship with him,” he stated.

Ted Kitana aka Teacher Kilunda

In April 2020, it emerged that actor Ted Kitana, alias Teacher Kilunda was forced to relocate to his rural home in a bid to make ends meet. Just like Omosh, Kilunda stated that he lost his source of income immediately the covid-19 pandemic struck.

“I can say it proved to be an abrupt decision by the management because we woke up one morning and our services were not needed. So, I had to quickly devise ways to survive. The first thing was to relocate to Kangundo. It took some time to adjust but I have come to love the place. My family is still in Nairobi but the village life is best. Food is fresh, with no pressure. I have no plans of going back to the city unless a job opportunity comes up,” he said.

Joyce Kimani aka Kellen

In March 2020, the Tahidi High actress Joyce Kimani aka Kellen called on Kenyans to help her raise money to clear fee balance for her children. Speaking in an online interview, the mother of four said she had been living hand to mouth and moving from one house to the other while at the same time trying to provide for her children.

”I have a fee balance of about Sh71,000 and I am not able to pay since I no longer working. I was on Tahidi High programme and since they stopped running the programme, I have nothing. I am also physically challenged; I walk on a canvas and the one I am using is completely worn out. I totally need help; I can’t even pay my rent. I have a boy in form two who is also at home now because of school fees. I also have a daughter in form four who was only given a reprieve because she is doing her final exams, but I have been told to clear her school fees of about Sh71,000,” she said.