Jacky Vike, known by her stage name Awinja, has been appointed as a new ambassador for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). She announced her new role through a post on her Instagram page on January 30th. Awinja expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community, saying “It was such an honor to get this role the same day we are celebrating the world day for NTDs. Tuanze kazi sasa. Thank you Ministry of Health for the opportunity to serve the community.”
Awinja rose to fame through her role as a house help in the popular drama series Papa Shirandula, which aired on Citizen TV. She became well-known for her character and her distinct Luhya accent. In a past interview, Awinja shared her upbringing in poverty, with her mother wanting her to become an air hostess. However, her passion for acting led her to attend rehearsals at the Kenya National Theatre instead of college.
Her big break came when she auditioned for a show on NTV, where she met the late Charles ‘Papa Shirandula’ Bukeko. Initially, Awinja was intimidated by the thought of doing a Luhya accent, but Charles Bukeko encouraged her to take on the challenge. Awinja recalls, “So I went like ‘Just let me go and carry it as a challenge,’ and guys the rest is history.”
Overall, Jacky Vike’s new role as the ambassador for NTDs is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her craft.
