Benson Wanjau, alias Mzee Ojwang, is being laid to rest today at Lang’ata cemetery a very poor man despite having an illustrious acting career spanning over 30 years.
Many Kenyans have blamed KBC, the company he worked for, and the government for ignoring Mzee Ojwang and the Vitimbi crew, but it has emerged that Mzee Ojwang’s poor state was his own making.
Until his death, Mr Wanjua as an employee of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts. He was contracted to work for the ministry 17 years ago and had risen to job group J, where he was earning a salary of Ksh50,000.
In a tribute to the family, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario says Mzee Ojwang’s contract was due to expire in January next year.
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Mzee Ojwang rose through the ranks at the ministry to become an assistant production manager until his death. “Mzee Ojwang’ was first appointed on 1st July 1998 as an Artist under the then Ministry of National Heritage and Culture at age 61,” says Mr Wario. “Over the period, Mzee Ojwang rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Manager (Production) and had his contract renewed several times.”
Even with this salary plus his earnings from acting on Vitimbi and other appearances, Benson Wanjau lived a layman’s life. His financial hardships have raised a storm in the public, forcing the government to pay his medical bills. Kenyan artists organised a tribute in honour of Mzee Ojwang’ at the Nyayo National stadium yesterday 28th of July.
A person who worked with Mzee Ojwang said his financial troubles could be largely related to his lifestyle. “Mzee Ojwang used to drink and smoke a lot,” said the person who requested not to be identified. “That was the source of both his health and financial problems.”
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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