Daniel Wambua Ndambuki famously known as Churchill (born 30 October 1977) is a Kenyan comedian who hosts the comedy television show Churchill Show on TV47 Kenya Kenya on Sundays (formerly on NTV[1]).[2] Churchill was born in Kitui town, but moved to Machakos. He has worked in the comedy industry since 1996 and has now become a household name in Kenya. He launched the Churchill Live Comedy Show in September 2008 but was renamed Churchill Show during its third season in 2012. The show has given a platform to hundreds of comedians in the country, the most successful ones being Eric Omondi, Teacher Wanjiku, Professor Hammo, MCA Tricky, Jemutai, Magazine (DJ Shitii) and Dr. Kingori.[3]
Daniel Ndambuki aka Churchill is one of the few Kenyans to be on Who Is Who List.[4] The Machakos County-born comedian studied at Township Muslim Primary School in Machakos Later heading Mumbuni High School. Among the films he has featured in include: The First Grader (2010) and (2007).[5]
Churchill, together with KJ, Kajairo, Mudomo Baggy, and Nyambane, created “Red Kona”, a comedy show on TV, which increased their fan base. Churchill went to co-present with Maina Kageni on Classic 105 FM (Which he still does today) doubling up as “the Tea Lady-... Philigona” and as Mwalimu King’angi .
He is rated number 7 among Kenya’s 100 most influential people with the current president topping the list.[6]
He has nurtured and brand stand-up comedy.[7] Churchill has cracked many Kenyan ribs with his "clean", family friendly shows. CNN recently classified him as one of Africa's funniest comedians.[8]
Churchill has brought a new and fresh style of comedy to the Kenyan airwaves and mainstream media since the early 2000s, that has garnered him hundreds of thousands to millions fans on radio, television and the Internet. Churchill is now a Kenyan household name.
His wide recognition as a comedian started heightening in the all-time hit comedy show “Redykyulass” in which he acted alongside Walter Mongare(Nyambane), Peter Kaimenyi (Kajairo), Maurice Otieno (Mdomo Baggy), John Kiarie (KJ), and Anthony Njuguna. He currently boasts a successive Live TV, the Churchill Live.
His hit show Churchill Live has increasingly become East Africa’s most popular and hilarious TV Show in addition to gaining momentous international interest from comedy enthusiasts in the US, the UK, India, Germany, and the rest of the world.
He hosts a weekly NTV show "Churchill Show” with live recordings on Thursdays at the Carnivore Restaurant which has become “a must attend” event, Churchill's show is in its sixth edition and currently [9] the number one show in East and Central Africa with a viewership of 11,000,000 Kenyans across the country, according to ratings.[10] [11] [12]
Churchill became the first Kenyan to hit 1,000,000 likes on Facebook.[13] By now he has garnered over 2,000,000 fan base in the social network, Facebook — the highest of any individual celebrity in Kenya.[14] [15] He is also the CEO of his company, Laugh Industry Kenya.[16]
He has managed to win the hearts of Kenyan children and families by hosting a weekly segment on Churchill show dubbed “Toto’s corner” and also the hosting of Kids Festival which always sees a turnout of 55,000 plus kids and families.
Churchill Show Comedy TV program has featured influential personalities, politicians, big entertainment personalities and other remarkable people across the socio-economic continuum“Interviews with Kenyan big names combined with a touch of Churchill's brand of comedy doused in comic brilliance on production makes it a programme on par with none. All the while not forgetting the lighter note in "Toto's corner"
Churchill as a mentor and pioneer in the industry of the genre, has managed to grow the comedy Industry in East Africa by scouting and nurturing talent.Initially with a talent search program dubbed ‘Top Comic’ that has put forward leading comedy brands, now there are two weekly shows that air on TV i.e. #ChurchillShow & #ChurchillRaw…this offer a platform that acts as a spring board for the new talents and brands.
Working with a creative team of 20 mentors. The academy has managed to create 73 new comedians and counting, that have so far entered the market and are becoming household names with thousands others still in training and more signing up everyday!
The Churchill Comedy Brand has grown by leaps and bounds and garnered loads of awards and honours including but not limited to: