Ken Ambani award in Ghana fitting for 27 years of acting

Actor Ken Ambani holds his honorary award. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Ken Ambani has been in the industry for 27 years.
  • He has appeared in some big productions like Maisha, Cobra Squad, Makutano Junction, Nairobi Law, Shuga II, Jacob’s Cross, but he says Tausi still holds a special place in his history as an actor.
  • Ambani was given an Honorary Award for the Best Male Actor.

Kenyan veteran actor Kenneth Ambani was last week feted at the African Prestigious Awards (APA) in Ghana, but he is not a happy man and he is overwhelmingly surprised by how his accolade has been taken so casually in the country.

The actor, who has been in the industry for 27 years, told ActScene that he took himself to Ghana and was surprised how he was treated while there.

“The organisers of the awards event went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable,” he said.

RECOGNITION

He praises Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Ezekiel Mutua for providing him with the air ticket to Ghana.

“Mr Mutua called me to his office and told me that he wanted to provide an air ticket for me to Ghana, but when I came back only my wife and kids appreciated my accolade.”

He added that in Kenya you have to fight and stand for yourself by building your own brand. “What you are seeing now after 27 years in the industry is the Ken Ambani brand.”

“It is disheartening when we carry the flag of our country with pride out there only to find such a cold reception at home. It is becoming a norm for us to be celebrated by our family members and a few friends only,” said Ambani.

AWARDS

Ambani was given an Honorary Award for the Best Male Actor.

This is not the first award that he has won. In 2010 he was feted as the Best Actor in the Tarifa Awards held in Spain, for his role in From a Whisper.

“During the same period I got the Best Actor award at the Kenya Film Festival. And, I was nominated as the Best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, a title that I won at Kalasha Awards in 2009,” he explains.

Despite appearing in some of the biggest local productions like Maisha, Cobra Squad, Makutano Junction, Nairobi Law, Shuga II, Jacob’s Cross, among many others, Ambani says Tausi still holds a special place in his history as an actor, considering the fact that the programme had a massive and dedicated widespread following.

SUPPORT

According to Ambani, unlike Kenya, Tanzania gave a good send-off to four of their actors and actresses who were travelling to Ghana following their nomination for various awards.

Award winning actress Yvonne Cherrie was crowned the Best Female Actress and the reception from her country when they got back was equally impressive.

Other countries, especially in West Africa, give overwhelming support to the local film industry in terms of production and consumption.

They are also keen on honouring their filmmakers and this has seen the industry flourish.

Ambani also received an Excellence in Leadership Award on behalf of President Kenyatta.

“I have already spoken to the President and preparations are underway for me to officially hand over the award to him.”

The President was recognised for his peace initiative after the General Election and for going out of his way to see the youth in Kenya flourish. 

Other Kenyans who were awarded include Reverend Lucy Natasha, Julie Gichuru and Chris Kirubi.