Ty Ngachira delivers sharp take on being Kenyan in comedy special

Let's get this out of the way first. Being Kenyan, an urban stand-up special from Ty Ngachira, is currently streaming for free on YouTube. Just search for it and hit play. Usually, this is where a review would give you a long-winded biography of the performer, but I want to go straight into the craft. Being Kenyan is an interesting piece of work. By the time I hit the 40-minute mark, I realised this show is essentially a high-speed funny orientation for anyone new to the country. Ty's presentation is essentially how an ordinary Kenyan communicates, starting in clear English and will have you following the setup, then he randomly drops to Swahili, and for a second (for a foreigner), you will be lost before he ropes you back into the discussion as he slips back to English. If a tourist or an expat landed in Nairobi today and wanted a basic understanding of the city, the social, economic and political friction, the specific brand of drama we deal with, and the dynamics between Kenyan people, this special is the perfect supplement. Anthony (Ty) Ngachira is a bit of a "Batman" figure in the creative scene. By day, he's an advocate of the High Court, a researcher, and a sharp political commentator. By night, he's a prolific stand-up comedian. You might know him from his NTV show Too Much Information (TMI) or his YouTube commentary channel, Chai na Katiba. What's been frustrating is that Ty has recorded multiple specials over the years, "Personality Hire" and "Millennials in Denial" among them, but we've had to wait a long time to see a full-length project officially drop. I'm glad "Being Kenyan" has finally seen the light of day. The show comes from Next on Stage and Password with Anthony (Ty) Ngachira, Fakii Liwali and Melvin Mwakugu as the executive producers, Joy Oww and Iman Mueke as producers, with Timteo as the editor and Edwin Nyongesa as the Director and Director of Photography. The strength of this special is its authenticity. Ty examines who we are as Kenyans without the usual filters. He looks at how our upbringing conditions us and how we react to the chaotic environment we live in. He manages a great balance between "third-person" observation and deeply personal storytelling. Early in the set, he looks at broader scenarios, our striking culture, the healthcare system, and the comedy of our politics. But as the show progresses, it gets more intimate. He talks about his parents and the awkwardness of a young man buying condoms in a village pharmacy, and this is meant to be spoiler-free, so everything else you can experience for yourself. Ty personalises these familiar tropes and stereotypes. We all know these stories, but Ty gives them a comedic twist that makes the familiar feel fresh. Whether he's dissecting why men don't know their best friend's names or getting arrested in the country, the writing is grounded in the Kenyan political, social and economic climate while remaining funny, witty and sharp. The title card has a creative but simple touch to it with a nice yellow and black contrast and it blends into the opening perfectly, in that it doesn't eat into the show's run time. From a technical standpoint, this is a decently put-together production. The direction uses a variety of camera angles that allow the comedy to breathe. Cutting from a medium close-up during a punchline to a wide shot of the laughing audience gives the viewer at home a sense of the room's energy. The stage design is simple, mostly red and green lighting, but I thought the white background creates a professional backdrop that doesn't distract from the performer. The audio is clear, and the crowd reaction is balanced. It's present enough to feel the atmosphere but muffled just enough so it never competes with Ty's delivery. Basically, you can hear every word from start to finish. The structure of the set is well-paced. It starts with just enough energy not to be overwhelming, relying on longer setups to establish the world. As the hour moves along, the setups get shorter and the punchlines come faster. If I had one complaint, it's actually a backhanded compliment, as I know a lot was left on the cutting room floor. A standard special is an hour, but knowing the depth of Ty's material that was presented that evening, there's so much more that didn't make the edit. This leads to a bigger point. When you hear a Kenyan comedian is recording a special, show up in person. The live experience has a layer of energy and extra material that a digital upload can't fully capture. I did attend the live recording of "Being Kenyan", and the event was a lot of fun, outside Ty's performances, a bit dramatic in the choice of the MC. But generally, stand-up is one of the most unique, honest forms of entertainment we have in Nairobi right now. You laugh, cringe and react in real time, and while specials are fantastic, being there when they are being recorded is a totally different experience. Being Kenyan is a funny, sometimes cringey stand-up special that is a vital record of our current social, economic and political climate. Kenyan tropes and stereotypes that a person who has lived in the country long enough can identify with. With this special, Ty has proven that he can carry the weight of a full hour and keep the audience hooked and, most importantly, laughing. If you enjoy this, don't stop there. The Kenyan stand-up scene is currently exploding with talent. Go check out Doug Mutai's Wines, or Mammito's Maandamano Baby Show and Amandeep's Doggie. They are all free, high-quality, and proof that we have a world-class comedy industry right here in Nairobi. → [email protected] Follow ourWhatsApp channel for the latest business and markets updates.