When Christopher and Eudia Ochieng had their second child, they couldn’t have known that his career had been charted out for him. Benjamin Onyango enjoyed his childhood years on Lukenya Close in Ofafa Jericho. He went to Ofafa Jericho Primary School and fellowshipped with his parents and six brothers at Jericho Baptist Church. Under the strict stewardship of his father, there was little room for indiscipline or failure.
Unfortunately, Benjamin failed his CPE, and his disciplinarian father sent him to Ugenya Village in Siaya County to repeat his standard seven at Got Osimbo Primary School. A second chance in an unfamiliar environment gave room for focus, and despite being hospitalized for malaria, he strove for excellence. On returning home with a more applaudable grade, Benjamin enrolled at Ofafa Jericho Secondary School. He acquired an interest in music, and proactively put together a rock band with friends where he was the lead guitarist. The group’s growth was unexpected but in time they landed gigs with their primary residence being at the revolving restaurant at the KICC. Benjamin kept himself further immersed in the entertainment industry by participating in church skits on Sundays.
Despite this hectic schedule, Benjamin remained grounded in his education. He successfully completed high school and landed a job as a clerk in the wages department at BAT Kenya Ltd. After four years in this division, he transitioned to the Computer department for three years before deciding to join the United States International University to pursue a BSc in MIT. After his first year, Benjamin transferred credits to the San Diego campus but even then, he felt unsettled. He moved to California State University in Turlock and in 1992, graduated with a BSc in Computer Science.
For Benjamin, this milestone was one he was grateful for however he yearned to relive his passion for entertainment. He left for Hollywood to take a shot at the big screen.
With no plan on how to get started, Benjamin utilized his musical experience and joined a Funk-Rock fusion band named P.F.O. He also worked as a substitute teacher for children with autism, a job that opened his mind to challenges children with autism face. Despite his busy schedule, Benjamin kept an ear on the ground and found time to cast for small roles in TV shows and movies. He started as an extra and slowly climbed the ladder. In an unusual twist of fate, his ability to speak Kiswahili worked to his advantage. In 2003, Benjamin was featured in Tears of the Sun – a film starring Bruce Willis. But in 2014, Benjamin got his big break as a main cast member in the Christian film, God’s Not Dead. Playing the role of Reverend Jude in this film gave Benjamin more recognition, and the film was well received.
Today, Benjamin continues to look out for more cast calls and is working on a self-funded project dubbed Dysfunctionally Organized – a show that gives more insight into autism. He runs campaigns, inviting friends and supporters to donate in order for production of the show to continue.
Benjamin is truly a Mkenya wa Majuu, but we congratulate him for achieving what many would have found daunting. His Paukwa spirit lives, and for that we say Hongera Benjamin!
