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Eddie Butita recalls his first Churchill Show appearance on TV during nationwide blackout
30th July, 2026 12:58 PM
Award-winning comedian, actor and filmmaker Eddie Butita has reflected on his journey to becoming one of Kenya’s most recognisable entertainers, revealing that his first appearance on Churchill Show aired during one of the country’s most memorable nationwide blackouts.
Speaking during a candid conversation with Jagero on Thursday, July 30, 2026, Butita recalled the difficult road he travelled before earning a place on the popular comedy programme, saying he had to go through several auditions before finally getting an opportunity.
“I did like eight auditions; after the eight weeks, it was when I got my first show. I remember the first time stima ilipotea Kenya mzima, ile national blackout occurred,” Butita recalled.
Despite the memorable timing, Butita clarified that the Churchill Show was not his first television appearance as a performer.
“The first time on TV was not Churchill, but Churchill was impactful because the show was prime; a lot of people were watching it,” he explained.
TV appearances
Before joining Churchill Show, the comedian said he had already appeared on programmes such as Tukuza and Kenya Corner, which gave him valuable exposure and helped him grow his career.
“The first time on TV as a performer was through a show called Tukuza, then a show called Kenya Corner also that gave me some mileage, and then Churchill, which was a prime show,” Butita added.
Stand-up comedy
Butita also opened up about the pressure that came with performing stand-up comedy, describing it as one of the most demanding forms of entertainment because comedians have to perform before a live audience without the luxury of retakes.
“Stand-up comedy is an intense thing because you are performing in front of a live audience; there is no editing, post production, ndio wataamua kama utakuwa aired kwa TV. Getting on TV was not a guarantee,” he stated.
According to the comedian, performers would record their sets and then anxiously wait until Sunday to find out whether their performances had made the final television cut.
“We used to perform then on Sunday. You are waiting; you see the first person, and when Eric Omondi enters the stage, unajua show imeisha and then you wait for next week,” he added.
Today, Butita has grown from a stand-up comedian into one of Kenya’s leading creatives, making a name for himself as an actor, scriptwriter, producer and filmmaker.
