‘We take every opportunity to laugh’: why Kenyans are embracing standup comedy in turbulent times

New venues and a fresh wave of comedians are winning huge audiences in Nairobi and beyond

KK knows that a well-told colonial joke can excite a Kenyan crowd. “I love how white people discover stuff that was already there,” he tells the audience at the Punchline Comedy Club which is staged at Two Grapes, a Nairobi restaurant. “I got this DM from this white man the other day. He was like, ‘Oh, my gosh. I love your content. I’m so glad I discovered you.’ I’m like, ‘No, We’ve done this before.’”

He goes on about how they “discover” people then take them to other places “to be discovered”, and how those who have been “discovered” end up travelling the world and making a lot of money.

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‘We take every opportunity to laugh’: why Kenyans are embracing standup comedy in turbulent times

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