Update: State House announced that President Uhuru Kenyatta condoled with the family of popular Kenyan TV comedian Charles Bukeko.

Popular Citizen TV actor Charles Bukeko known to many as Papa Shirandula, has passed on.

Shirandula's family confirmed the news and disclosed that the 58-year-old died at the Karen Hospital where he had been receiving treatment since Monday, July 13.

"They have not given us the details. We are waiting for the hospital's report but he was just unwell," Alice Atamba, Bukeko's sister-in-law told Kenyans.co.ke.

Veteran Kenyan actor and comedian Charles Bukeko, popularly known as Papa ShirandulaFACEBOOK
He is survived by his wife Beatrice Ebbie Andega, and three children; Tony, Charlie and Wendy.
Shirandula won the 2010 Kalasha awards and appeared in numerous big-time commercials across the world including Coca Cola and GOTV.
He also featured in several movies including The Constant Gardener (2005), Malooned (2007) and The Captain of Nakara (2012).

In past interviews, Shirandula stated that the idea of the popular show came about when he approached the Royal Media Services MD Wachira Waruru and asked for the chance.

"I approached Wachira Waruru with the idea of a Papa Shirandula TV show and that is how I got into television. Thumbs up to him because I would not be where I am if it wasn’t for him, television-wise," he acknowledged at the time.

The actor, who was born into a humble family in Buhalarire, Kakamega, started out in theatre where he built his career all the way up.

“I am one person who came into the industry on the right foot and ended up working with the right people which made things easier for me,” Bukeko once stated.
“Nothing can go wrong if you trust in God and follow your dream and heart yearnings,”he added.


Veteran Kenyan actor and comedian Charles Bukeko, popularly known as Papa ShirandulaFACEBOOK
Citizen TV MD Wachira Waruru eulogised the actor as a towering thespian who was loved in every corner of the country.

"He endeared himself to TV audiences with his natural sense of humour and effortless depiction of typical Kenyan lifestyles. Papa, as he was fondly known within the Royal Media fraternity, represented a pioneering group of kenyan actors who immensely contributed to the growth and success of local productions.

"I am honoured to have worked closely with Bukeko in the creation of the Papa Shirandula series that immediately gained wide acceptance across the country," Wachira stated in a statement.

https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/55435-local-tv-legend-papa-shirandula-dies