- For years, Mzee Zoa was a beloved face behind Kenya’s golden era of television drama, having written and acted in several TV shows
- The once-celebrated thespian now sleeps on the cold streets of Nairobi, an old mattress as his only comfort
- The former Vitimbi actor and Tausi writer says life collapsed after fame faded and his wife dumped him
Once a familiar face on Kenyan television screens, Nassoro Mwamzandi, popularly known as Zoa, is now living a life far removed from the fame and laughter he once helped bring into homes across the country.
Source: Facebook
Zoa is a former actor and scriptwriter behind popular local productions such as Tausi, Vitimbi, Vituko, Chini ya Mnazi, Popo, Asili na Asilia, Zingatia, Tushauriane and Vioja Mahakamani.
However, his star seems to have dimmed after his TV exit, as he has reportedly been living on the streets of Nairobi for the past two years.
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He is currently based around the Coast Bus stage, where he sleeps on a worn-out sack and struggles to get through each day.
His plight came to light after he reportedly approached a passerby, attempting to sell an old mattress he had been using as his only bedding.
In a painful reflection of his current reality, Zoa shared that life changed drastically after his marriage collapsed.
He claims his wife left him when his finances ran dry, leaving him to fend for himself without a stable home or income.
“We didn’t get government support after we stopped acting on TV,” he said, adding that despite his efforts to stay active in the creative industry, his written scripts have repeatedly been rejected by media houses.
The veteran thespian, who helped shape some of Kenya’s most iconic television moments, says he still has the passion and ability to write and act, but lacks opportunity and support.
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He is now making a humble appeal to Kenyans and stakeholders in the creative industry to give him a chance to rebuild his life through work.
Kenyans react to Zoa’s plight
As one of the many faces behind Kenya’s golden era of local drama, Zoa’s story has sparked renewed concern about the welfare of veteran artists once the spotlight fades.
Sue Mwangi
“Life has got so many ups and downs with no balance. You try to make ends meet, but something pulls you down. I can’t blame him because I know there are so many forces surrounding us.”
Baba Precious Peter
“A man must fall sometimes. Rising is the real deal to defeat. Recollect yourself and march ahead to victory.”
Geoffrey Kamau Kiguru
“Sad that after entertaining us for so long, Zoa has no home. I remember him in the 90s with the likes of Maarifa in Vituko.”
Cathy Wa Mutheu
“Woooie Zoa. Namkumbuka kwa kipindi cha Vituko na mkewe kwa kipindi Malizawa kama sijasahau. Mwenyezi Mungu akuinue na abadidilishe kalenda yako.”
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
