Tom Daktari is undeniably one of Kenya’s most popular and successful influencers in the present day. His journey to success has been marked by numerous obstacles that almost thwarted his aspirations of becoming a renowned filmmaker. In this article, we will trace Tom’s remarkable path from his early life to his meteoric rise on TikTok.
Early Life and Education
Born as Andrew Wambua Mboya, Tom Daktari hails from the Zaikoni area in Kathiani, Kenya. He grew up in a large family, which included nine siblings—five boys and four girls. His educational journey began at Kombu Primary School, after which he enrolled at St. Martin Kithongoine High School for his secondary education. However, securing admission to secondary school was a challenging endeavor, primarily due to financial constraints. Tom recalls that his family had to sell livestock and receive support from their church to fund his education.
Starting His First Business
Following his high school graduation, Tom moved to Nairobi, where he lived with his brother. Together, they ventured into the business of selling boiled eggs, served with a mixture of onions and tomatoes known as “mayai pasua.” Regrettably, their initial business endeavor did not prosper due to a lack of expertise. Tom’s omission of onions in the egg servings left customers dissatisfied. He tried his hand at selling oranges but encountered a similar lack of success, compelling him to explore alternative opportunities.
Venturing into Acting
Undeterred by his previous business setbacks, Tom decided to pursue a career in acting. He made his acting debut by participating in high school oral literature, where he landed modest roles. While performing for schools provided some income, it still wasn’t sufficient to finance his higher education. In a generous move, his brother secured a loan to enroll Tom in the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, where he majored in filmmaking and eventually graduated in 2020.
Meeting Sammy Kioko
Tom’s life took a significant turn when he crossed paths with Sammy Kioko during his involvement in high school oral literature performances. Although they didn’t interact much initially, their acquaintance deepened when they both auditioned for a competition called ‘Comedy Arena’ at KBC (Kenya Broadcasting Corporation). Sammy emerged as the winner, while Tom was eliminated in the competition’s initial stages. Subsequent to the competition, they decided to collaborate and launched a YouTube channel where they posted comedic skits. Tom played the role of a teacher, while Kioko portrayed the student. Their channel gained traction on YouTube, prompting them to incorporate other participants to enhance its appeal.
Going Viral on TikTok
Today, Tom Daktari stands as one of the foremost Kenyan influencers on TikTok. His proficiency in Kiswahili, combined with his wit and humor, has earned him a prominent place in the world of social media influencers. On TikTok, he commands a substantial following, boasting over 700,000 followers and amassing more than 9.6 million likes. His video content tackles a wide range of relevant topics, including fashion, investments, and relationships, among others. In the words of Tom, “Kamą umefanikiwa na nikuulize siri ya mafanikio, wacha kuniambia trust the process, wacha kuniambia tia bidii itajipa, ambia wenzako siri ata hao wapate bahati” (“If you’ve achieved success and I ask you the secret to it, tell me to trust the process, tell me to work hard, and tell my colleagues the secret so they can also be fortunate”).
