Jackie Vike, popularly known by her stage name Awinja Nyamwalo, has opened up about the emotional toll the death of her mentor, Charles Bukeko—famously known as Papa Shirandula—had on her mental and physical well-being.
In a heartfelt conversation with fellow actress Wilbroda Nyaminde, Awinja revealed that receiving the news of Papa Shirandula’s passing left her devastated. She admitted it took a while for her to fully come to terms with the loss.
Recalling the moment, Awinja described being struck by intense anxiety, something she never thought she would experience. She confessed she never imagined Papa Shirandula could pass away so suddenly.
“Papa Shirandula’s death hit me really hard,” she shared. “People often say anxiety is a ‘white people thing,’ but during that time, I experienced it to the point where I had nonstop diarrhea—not because of anything I ate, but purely because of anxiety.”
Awinja compared the pain to losing a parent, saying Papa Shirandula had played a fatherly role in her life and career.
“It felt like I had lost my father. I kept wondering what my life would look like without him. He taught me so much, boosted my confidence, and helped me believe in myself—even with things I never thought I could do. We were still working together, and it just felt too soon. I had so many questions.”
She expressed how the impact Papa Shirandula had on her life is something she carries with her to this day.
“Even now, I still think about him. Sometimes something happens and I pause, thinking—if it weren’t for him giving me that first chance, I honestly don’t know where I’d be today.”
Awinja credited much of her success to the late actor, saying if it wasn’t for his belief in her and the opportunity he gave her, she wouldn’t have achieved what she has so far.
Charles Bukeko, better known as Papa Shirandula, passed away in 2020 after a brief illness and was laid to rest in Western Kenya. His legacy continues to live on through the lives and careers he helped shape—Awinja’s being one of the most notable.
