Crazy About Kenya - Kevin Irungu

I was born in Nairobi's Kibera District, although my parents are not from there, they came from the central part in Muranga.

Why did you get interested in music?

I started art back in my school days drawing animals and perfect maps. Later in life I met with two artists who were later to be my mentors. My main interest was not art at the time. I was looking for refuge, and had been spotted walking around with a group of boys suspected to carry guns (which they had). They encouraged me to find myself and helped me to plan my future.

What was your best art exhibition and why?

Many people came to my first exhibition and bought seven pieces. The gallery took the rest down two days later because they thought that they were too simple for the walls - that is a sad fact.

Is there any place in Kenya that inspires you in terms of your art?

The ghetto - it's so jumbled up that it makes you think. I think the slum is art. You think of your own architecture, recipe, road or network through the ghetto. You name it - it's art in the making.

If you could pick your dream wildlife destination in Kenya - where would it be and what would you get up to there?

That would be Masai Mara, because of the Big Five and the wildebeest migration - that amongst other adventures.

Book a tour between July and October and you could have a shot at the Mara's annual migration - one of the wonders of Kenya. Acacia Adventure Holidays' 14-day Gorilla Encounter could be the perfect overland option.

What do you love about the Kenyan people?

Who out of your musical/artistic influences would make the best game viewing partner and why?

I would pick a musician Lil John, because every time he saw a wild animal he would shout, YEEAAAHH! I think I might also invite Billy Bidjouka from France as he has a great mind - he talks of painting, as the mental space between an object and a subject, and he describes paintings as mere objects. I agree! - not forgetting fellow Kenyan's Otieno Kota and Githui - I love their paintings.

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Your best piece of art and why?

My best work was completed in June, it was called "Cold Blad". It talks about what happened a few months ago in Kenya.

How does it feel to be in Kenya now - what are travellers missing out on?

It feels great to be in Kenya because the weather is fine, especially down at the beach.

Can you give adventurers the inside track on travel in your home destination - what should they bring with them to Kenya?

What would be the first words you'd utter to a tourist if you hooked up with them on the street, and where's the first place you'd take them to in downtown Nairobi?

I would say "oops an elephant!" if I met you in town, and "DAMN what a kingdom without buildings just animals and Maasai's," if I met you in the jungle. I'd see how you would react to that and then we'd check out the sites.

"Must have" phrases for adventurers in Kenya?

"Habari yako" (Hallo)
"Umeshinda aje" (How have you been?)
"Tamu sana" (Delicious)

Kevin Irungu

Aliases:

Age

Your talent

Where you're from?