Why Ugali Man is trending after Dennis Ombachi’s social media return

Social media has recently been buzzing with the name Ugali Man, five years after he first captured national attention.

The fitness trainer from Ongata Rongai is back in the spotlight, fuelled by light-hearted comparisons with popular self-taught chef Dennis Ombachi, also known as The Roaming Chef.

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Ugali Man first went viral in May 2021 with his raw, energetic cooking videos. Often shirtless and full of energy, he would dramatically throw large chunks of ugali high into the air, catch them with powerful grips, and devour massive portions with very little stew or soup.

His passionate facial expressions, enthusiastic chewing, and unfiltered vibe made the content extremely funny and relatable. Videos spread rapidly on TikTok and Facebook, turning him into an overnight sensation.

After that initial wave of fame, Ugali Man’s visibility gradually decreased as more polished food creators like Ombachi took over with high-production balcony cooking videos featuring elevated Kenyan dishes.

Unique style

Even though his ugali videos were no longer trending widely, Ugali Man continued uploading consistently to his YouTube channel.

Out of hundreds of clips, one particular video caught the attention of social media X users: it showed him throwing salt playfully from a distance while cooking, in a dramatic stance that highlighted his distinctive style.

Other clips also began circulating, showing him cutting skuma wiki (kales) with his bare hands and preparing indigenous Kenyan dishes such as nyati (buffalo meat), kichwa ya ngombe (cow head), and goat testicles.

Each video was typically accompanied by humorous, over-the-top commentary that amplified the raw and relatable charm of his cooking.

Comparisons spark trend

The video initially went viral through playful side-by-side comparisons with Dennis Ombachi, highlighting the contrast between Ugali Man’s raw, grassroots style and Ombachi’s polished, aspirational cooking.

The trend skyrocketed further when Ombachi announced his return to social media on Saturday, March 28, 2025, after a break.

While many fans celebrated his comeback, hundreds of replies referenced Ugali Man, joking about having been left in the “bad hands” of the Rongai chef.

Some users humorously remarked that they had “already moved on,” that they had “missed videos to watch during lunch,” while others simply commented, “While you were away,”.