‘I didn’t even apply’ – Big Ted opens up on shock US envoy appointment
By William Muthama, April 18, 2026Thomas Kwaka Omolo, popularly known as Big Ted, has shared rare insight into how he ended up in diplomacy, revealing that his appointment as a diplomat came without any formal application or personal pursuit.
Big Ted served as Kenya’s Consul-General in Los Angeles from 2022 to early 2024. In this diplomatic capacity, he was responsible for representing Kenyan interests across 13 states on the US West Coast.
Speaking in an interview with Milele FM radio host Jacquey Nyaminde, widely known as Wilbroda, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, Big Ted said the role caught him off guard, insisting he never submitted paperwork or expressed interest in the position before it was offered to him.
“I never applied. I never even told anyone I wanted that job,” he said, reflecting on what he describes as an unexpected shift from entertainment and media into international service.
Unexpected appointment
Big Ted explained that his transition into diplomacy was never part of a structured career plan. Coming from a background in media, events, and creative communications, he said he did not anticipate being considered for such a senior public service role.
He said he initially questioned how someone like him, without a traditional diplomatic background, could be considered for such a role.
“I don’t have a degree, so I didn’t see myself in that kind of position,” he noted.
He added that the move forced him to rethink how opportunities unfold, especially those that appear outside traditional career paths.
Faith and perspective
In the interview, Big Ted leaned heavily on faith as a guiding factor in his journey. He described the appointment as something that unfolded beyond his expectations, saying timing and purpose played a central role.
He argued that life sometimes presents opportunities that are not actively pursued but still align with a person’s broader purpose and experience.
“If it’s God’s will, it is God’s bill. I’ve learned that when something is set for you, it will come to pass in ways you can’t explain or plan for,” he said.
Before his diplomatic appointment, Big Ted had previously worked within State House communications, marking his entry into government service after a long career in entertainment and media.