By Asnath Agatha
Artists are on earth to complete God’s work”
These are the words of Thuita Mwangi an innovative, immersive and culturally insightful artist. Born and bred in Nairobi, Thuita knew from a young age that he was destined for the artistic world. He was a free-spirited child, bursting with some much energy that his peers nicknamed him ‘Cartoon’. That energy needed an outlet, and engaging in artistic activities became his escape. Thuita recalls how he was a bit shy when it came to expressing himself in other areas, but never in art. Joining the drama team awakened his self-awareness and here, he discovered his true purpose.
Luckily, he had a strong support system that ensured his dreams wouldn’t sink into oblivion. Art has always been his safe space and an avenue where he never felt judged and could truly be himself. His auntie, whom Thuita believes has a special eye for talent, always encouraged him, affirming that he was unique and gifted. His teachers also recognised his talent and gave him opportunities to perform at school functions.
The unwavering support from his parents gave him strength to continue pursuing his craft. As a teenager, Thuita, together with his friend Vitalist, attended auditions at the Kenya National Theatre (KNT). He vividly remembers standing under the massive tree in the theatre’s courtyard, looking straight ahead at the big artists at the balcony. At that moment, he promised himself that one day, he too would stand on the ‘other side’. The years have passed by and now Thuita Mwangi is well-established. He is an award-winning multifaceted artist excelling in acting, writing, producing, directing, dancing, playing instruments, storytelling and poetry. And while he has ventured into both film and performing arts, theatre remains his strongest core, making him naturally gravitate toward it. The stage has helped him find his artistic voice.
A trip to Tunisia for a theatre festival transformed his vision. Traveling solely because of theatre felt surreal; the experience of meeting other artists, watching numerous plays, numerous plays, and immersing himself in the festival left a profound impact on him.
He returned home with a renewed inspiration and a determination to create something of his own. Despite participating in numerous projects, some have left a lasting mark on him. One such project is Subira the Musical, a collaboration between Silent Voices Uganda and Kenya’s Gilb’Art Productions. Cast as Situmo, he was among the new generation of actors on the show. He was working alongside an amazing cast and crew, it was a big honour. The experience left him hungry for more and eager to push his boundaries. In film, Thuita gained recognition through Pepeta, the famous Kenyan series where he played Chira. Having been accustomed to the intimate environment of theatre, transitioning to film was a new challenge. Suddenly people recognised him everywhere he went. The experience also taught him a crucial lesson; fame does not equal affluence. One can be famous and still face daily financial struggle.
This realisation fuelled his desire to create his own productions, leading to the birth of Story za Thuita. Story za Thuita proved to be a phenomenal success as Thuita took his storytelling to the streets, with the idea being to show rather than just tell the story. The show told the story of Nairobi, exploring various elements such as the city’s evolving architectural designs, its monuments, the political heroes it reflects and even the contemporary everyday being in the lives of its residents. For a city with a history spanning three centuries, Story za Thuita still holds within it the potential of stories that could be told till the end of time.
The show was such an unparalleled success, they got several nominations and even won that year’s Kenya Theatre Awards- scooping the gong for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Monologue. Thuita looks at himself as a custodian and curator and used this novelty to explore different stories with the streets as décor, buildings as props and the capital city as his stage, starting from the KNT. Thuita kept the streets talking.Beyond acting, Thuita has trained street kids in performance and worked with mothers of children with disabilities, teaching them how to inspire their young ones to embrace the arts. As a deeply spiritual person, he also trains in yoga.
But an artist’s story is never all bliss. Thuita too has faced challenges, with inconsistency in gigs being one of the biggest hurdles. The unpredictable nature of the industry disrupts flow of income, making financial stability a constant battle. He also highlights the lack of structural support in Kenya’s creative sector. Funding is scarce and audiences have yet to develop a strong theatre-going culture.
Moreover, the absence of psychological support leaves many artists vulnerable, and the mental toll can be overwhelming. Throughout his journey, Keith Pearson, Managing Director of the Theatre Company of Kenya, has been a constant mentor. Thuita expresses deep respect and admiration for him, considering him a guiding force in his career. Other creators who inspire him include; the late Charles Ouda, Marrianne Nungo, Mugambi Nthiga, Martin Kigondu, Mumbi Kaigwa, Ogutu Muraya, Abu Sense and Ngartia.
Today, Thuita sits on the balcony-the very place he once dreamed of. He shares the room with the artists he once looked up to, yet he insists that his journey is far from over. There is still much more to accomplish. His ultimate dream? To leave behind a legacy as the king of street theatre-something I truly believe he will achieve.
You only truly see art when you choose to understand it boldly,” he insists.
