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DERRICK AMUNGA (MASTER SUGU)- MY FALLEN FRIEND

The curtains have finally fallen on the most celebrated and inspiring thespian Kenya has ever produced, Derrick Amunga. I am lost for words because this is a gentleman who was one of my closest friends and confidante! He was the most creative and free thinking actor I ever knew. His generousity and readiness to assist and nurture actors who are new to the intrigues and rat races within the theatre scene endeared him to many.

I first met Derrick Amunga as a primary school child through my father’s television. Well, I watched him execute his role as Master Sugu sometime in the nineties, on the then popular television drama Tausi. I was awed by how he delivered the role so convincingly I always trembled at the thought of meeting him in person.

When I finally came  face to face with him in Mombasa during the 2006 Kenya National Drama festivals, I was amazed at his simplicity, humility and sense of humour. I gathered courage and went to say hi to him, his response took me aback. The fallen theatre giant responded with such entusiasm and positive energy that any passerby would think we were long term buddies. That meeting marked the beginning of a strong and long-lasting friendship. We exchanged cellphone numbers and as they say, the rest is history.

After I completed college, I met Derrick when we were both cast in Alan Ayckbourn’s exquisite comedy Absent Friends by FCA in 2009 where I was dropped from my role and made the stage manager. We became great friends and soon became housemates. We resided together at Huruma Ngei 2 estate for close to a year where we wrote scripts, engaged in word power challenges, developed drama contents, directed college plays and pissed off matatu conductors every time they wanted to overload the matatu. We referred to each other as “Hoax” which came about because he once came home and found dinner not ready yet I had lied to him that dinner was served! I was a hoax!

In August 2012, we were cast in the Friends Ensemble produced Seymour Matthews’ thriller Dead Man’s Hand where I starred alongside him. It was an honour starring alongside my friend and mentor. He shaped me. He panel beat me. He walked me through my baby-steps and never gave up on me even when part of the cast thought I was still amateurish and would not hack the role (most established theatre actors actually owe him their success due to his graceful patience with newcomers). In the end I was able to exhibit a powerful performance that earned me a standing ovation. During the show period – the Saturday 6pm show, I proposed to my wife Irene Simiyu on stage. It was as expected, brilliantly Derrick’s idea. My wife was overwhelmed and blown away!

After I got married Derick went back upcountry to restrategise on his acting carreer. In July 2014, I managed to convince him to come back to Nairobi in collaboration with FCA’s CEO Eliud Abuto. Mr. Abuto threw him right into the heart of his last production Trapped while I happily housed him as expected. Come on, he was one of my closest friends; an elder brother and I was honoured to have this creative fellow around me always. He shuttled between my house and another mutual friend Xavier Jerry Nato. We had big dreams together, well designed future projects and the perfect chance to make our presence known in the television and theatre scenes. To us, if we executed our plans well, it was just a matter of time.

Then on Friday 25th July Derrick left my house at 7pm informing my sister in law that he would be back in a matter of minutes. My sister in law thought he had gone to buy cigarettes. I was in Bondo for another funeral. It was the last time my family saw him alive.

Derrick’s body was found at the Kenyatta National Hospital on Sunday 3rd August after nine days of frantic search which involved his family and close friends. Apparently he had been picked by police officers from Kabete Police Station slightly over 100 metres from my house the following morning after he had disappeared. He was unconscious and breathing heavily. The doctor’s report indicated that he had a fracture on the head and a hemorrhage. It was difficult to locate his family and friends because he had neither identification on him nor cell phone.

Derrick was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) where he was admitted and immediately attended to by the hospital staff according to the police. It was Saturday the 26th of July. Derrick passed on to glory on Monday 20th 2014 and was booked into the KNH mortuary as an unidentified African male.

Our search finally led us to KNH mortuary where we found a peaceful Derrick ‘sleeping’ like a baby. Life had edged out of him. I wore a brave face but when I arrived home, I broke down and cried for close to an hour. The mood in my house was unbearable. My wife could not hold her tears and she cried openly. My sister in law was unable to eat for two days and eventually they travelled upcountry to Bungoma for a change of environment.

Derrick Amunga’s memories in my house has traumatised all of us and coping with his demise has become one of the most difficult things for my family and I. Seeing his neatly packed luggage in the bedroom has made me become something between a psycho and a loner. He bought sports shoes which he never wore.

Derrick had countless friends and fans from all walks of life. They ranged from amongst the Kenyan actors association, the Kenya Polytechnic, Strathmore University, Tambach Teachers’ College, Kenya Methodist University amongst many more. Listening to their account of events made me realise that I held no monopoly to his friendship. I just held forte as far as housing him was concerned.

“I got the chance to work with Derrick in the just concluded play “Trapped” by Festival of Creative Arts (FCA) and he never ever judged me. He walked with me through it all and I am at a loss to on what else to say.” said a tearful Janet Kirina.

Veronica Waceke, one of the most celebrated actors in Kenya also higlighted that Derrick’s affirmative word to Eliud Abuto, the producer for FCA, landed her her first role in professional theatre.

“Derrick had a very great future with FCA. He had a home here and we were always like family. We had great plans together and we shall definitely miss him. His death is a reality difficult to absorb! I miss him already.” Said Mr. Abuto.

“I don’t know how I shall complete painting my kitchen. It was Derrick’s project and now I am left helpless and speechless. Derrick amenikosea sana!” Said Xavier Jerry Nato in tears.

Speaking to his elder brother Frank Amunga, it was evident that his unexpected demise had created a big gap within the family social circle.

“Derrick was the most stealth guy I ever knew. He would pay me a visit when I least expected him and without warning. When I asked him why, he would unleash a disarming smile and give me a thumps up sign!” Frank volunteered

Derrick’s father Mr. Rodgers Amunga celebrated his son by highlighting some of their fond memories and asked Kenyan actors to always look out for each other to avoid careless loss of life.

My appreciation goes to Festival of Creative Arts (FCA) for being a theatre production company that does not just use actors’ abilities but also reaches out to them to help develop them and ensure their lives are productive. FCA doesn’t just regard its performers as dispensable assets but rather important constitution of its existence. Mr. Eliud Abuto, I celebrate you for being an example of a perfect employer. I know this because we have talked a lot especially in the weeks before Derrick’s demise.

I also appreciate Mbeki Mwalimu for being Derrick’s sister. She never gave up on him at his lowest points and was one of the few people Derrick felt comfortable sharing his inner feelings. Indeed the world will judge her fairly.

I can’t sign off without mentioning Xavier Jerry Neto, a friend with whom he embarrassed in front of girls. During the search for Derrick in the one week that we frantically looked for him, Xavier never slept.

There are many I can celebrate. For every prayer, every concern, every good will, I celebrate you. May God Almighty reward you ten fold for being the great friends of a mentor, a teacher, a brother, a father and an adviser to many. I owe him a lot. Kenya owes him a lot. I celebrate you my fallen friend, Master Sugu!

By Shem Odhiambo Agunga

shemwriter@gmail.com