Any avid fan of Kenyan television series’ recalls how Citizen TV’s Tahidi High carried the day. Fans, pundits, critics loved the show and its stars.Teacher Kilunda was among star actors of the weekly local show on Citizen TV for close to a decade and a half but this had to abruptly change when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.Ted Kitana, famously known for his Tahidi High character Teacher Kilunda, retreated to his rural home after the show ended in 2020 when the pandemic struck.Kilunda is now a businessman who owns a salon and barbershop as well as farming in Kangundo, Machakos County. He has employed a few people to help him in running his businesses.
While the actor did not plan to relocate to the village, he has come to love and enjoy the countryside life. Despite having a home in Nairobi where his wife and children leave, he insists that he is more comfortable living in Kangundo.
Previously Kitana spoke with this author on the Tahidi High acting days, the media industry, his businesses and creating employment in Kangundo, Machakos County where he relocated to. For starters, fans would like to know where you have been since the show stopped airing. Is it a sabbatical, or will you be back on screen?
I am not sure of that as I do not know what the future holds. I relocated to Kangundo, Machakos County and ventured into farming. This is one constant source of income and I learnt this trade when I was still young. I also opened a salon with a barbershop too and an M-Pesa shop. I have employed four staff with the exemption of those at my farm. However, I still have a house in Nairobi where I spend some days when I travel to the city.
Among the actors who have struggled include Kamau Kinuthia alias Omosh whose heartbreaking story on how he had failed to pay rent and meet the needs of his family members went viral.Since he shared his story, the actor received all kinds of support from Kenyans, including an opportunity to build a house alongside monetary gifts.
