Joy Karambu, popularly known as Kawira from the hit TV show Papa Shirandula, won the hearts of Kenyans with her hilarious portrayal of the Gakoromone school girl. But away from the cameras, her life story has been full of struggles, triumphs, and shocking revelations.
Born the last of three girls and raised by a single mother after losing her father at just four years old, Kawira grew up with resilience. She attended Timau Primary and later Angelic Girls Secondary in Meru. After high school, she tried her luck at auditions at the Kenya National Theatre but faced rejection. At the same time, she volunteered at Muga FM, working on radio drama.
Her big break came when she joined Papa Shirandula, where her character made her a household name. Beyond acting, Kawira is also a professional journalist and DJ. But her life has not been without challenges. She once revealed how she was conned by an event organizer who vanished with her emcee payment.
In matters of the heart, Kawira’s story is equally dramatic. She met her husband, Ephantus Wahome, while emceeing an event he was managing. Their love blossomed quickly, but in a recent interview, the actress shocked fans by confirming that her marriage is over.
“I’m not married. I’ve been single for two years now. I said it’s a wrap, and it was a wrap,” she confessed during an appearance on the Kamuhunjia Show.
Despite the heartbreak, Kawira continues to inspire her fans, showing that life after Papa Shirandula is full of lessons, resilience, and growth.
