Who was KK Mwenyewe? All about the comedian who died fighting a short illness

Zakaria Kariuki, also known as Mr. KK Mwenyewe, a Kenyan comedian best known for his viral impersonations of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has died. The news of his passing was shared by a fellow comedian, Kafengo, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as per reports by The Kenya Times.

Kariuki died on Monday, July 14, 2025, after suffering from a short illness. The exact cause of his death is not yet revealed, and the details are still emerging. According to The Star, Kariuki died while receiving treatment at the Kiambu Level 5 Hospital.

Zakaria rose to popularity on social media in 2022 for his political satire.

More about the comedian KK Mwenyewe

The news of comedian KK Mwenyewe's death was shared in a Facebook post, which read:

''We are heartbroken to announce the sudden demise of Zakaria Kariuki A.k.a Mr Kk Mwenyewe. He passed away yesterday evening while undergoing medical attention at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital.''

The post continued:

''During these sad moments, we ask for support and prayers, to the family and friends, may god give us strength at these difficult times. May His Soul Rest in Peace.''

KK Mwenyewe gained massive popularity for a video in which he acted and copied Kenya’s Deputy President. His fans, followers, and colleagues described him as humble, down‑to‑earth, and smart. Although his videos were meant to be jokes on the Deputy President, they were not mean-spirited, rather just ligh-hearted videos. He had over a million followers on TikTok, and one of his videos had received over six million views on TikTok.

His videos include mimicking Gachagua’s accent, phrasing, and facial expressions. He was often seen dressed in oversized, shabby suits, baggy pants, and he also put on a fake belly in his videos. The videos often included catchphrases and terms associated with Gachagua, along with poking fun at real news or speeches.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah was one of the first public figures to mourn the death of KK Mwenyewe. He wrote on X:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Zakaria Kariuki, popularly known as Mr. KK Mwenyewe, a young and talented comedian whose voice resonated with the spirit of a generation.

He continued:

Through satire and art, Mr. KK courageously held a mirror to society, using humor not to divide, but to awaken, educate, and unite. His ability to capture the political moment with sharp wit and authenticity was both refreshing and powerful.

The post ended with:

''Kenya has lost not just a comedian, but a cultural commentator and a brave young patriot. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire creative community. May his soul rest in peace, and may his light continue to inspire courage and creativity in those he leaves behind.''

His fans and followers loved his work, and he will be remembered for bringing joy to Kenyan comedy.

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