Kenyan comedian and content creator Terence Creative has shared a touching throwback clip featuring the late actor Papa Shirandula, honouring their collaboration on a road safety awareness project that the two worked on together before the beloved actor’s passing.
Terence posted the video on Facebook with the caption:
“Remembering Papa Shirandula on a project we worked someday,” sending fans into a wave of nostalgia for the actor whose real name was Charles Bukeko.
Papa Shirandula’s role in the NTSA clip
The video is a scripted, comedy-style public service announcement filmed on a dusty road and dirt lot where boda-boda riders typically congregate. Papa Shirandula plays a motorcycle taxi rider at the centre of the action, engaging in humorous staged exchanges with passengers and a colleague about the importance of wearing helmets and reflectors while on the road.
In one scene, his character insists that every boda-boda operator must carry two helmets, one for the rider and one for the passenger, and must also have a reflector fitted on the bike. The dialogue is delivered in a lively mix of Sheng and Swahili, making the safety message both relatable and entertaining for a wide audience.
Terence Creative himself appears in the clip, boarding Papa Shirandula’s bike as a passenger, giving the video an extra layer of warmth now that both the production and its cast are being seen through the lens of memory.
A message that still rings true
The clip ends with a sober note, with the narrator pointing out that over 500 boda-boda riders had been lost on Kenyan roads in a single year due to avoidable mistakes.
The closing message urges riders to follow NTSA regulations so that lives are not needlessly lost, signing off with the familiar “Safiri salama, fika salama” tagline from the National Transport and Safety Authority.
Papa Shirandula was one of Kenya’s most celebrated television personalities, best known for his role as the lovable office watchman in the long-running Citizen TV show of the same name.
He passed away in July 2021, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate deeply with Kenyan audiences.
This throwback video is a reminder of the breadth of work he was involved in beyond the small screen, using his natural comedic gift in service of public education.
