The third edition of the Caravane du Rire comedy festival is around the corner and a star-studded lineup of over 10 comedians, local and international, has been confirmed to hit the Kigali stage. Slated for June 29 at Institut Français, in Kigali, the multilingual comedy event aims to celebrate humour and guarantees an evening of laughter and joy. As preparations for the comedy fest continue, below are the top comedians whose performances stand out on many occasions: Samia Orosemane Based in Paris, France, Orosemane is known for her struggle, resistance, and laugh. She first gained recognition in 2009 with her show ‘Samia and the 40 Comics.’ Orosemane, 44, was born in the 19th arrondissement of Paris and grew up with her Tunisian parents before moving to Clichy-sous-Bois. Her love for theater began in college with the study of Molière's works, inspiring her to pursue acting. After obtaining her baccalaureate, she chose to study at the Paris Conservatory of Dramatic Art over sociology and political science. In 2012, she opened for comedian Phil Darwin and later developed her own show, which she wrote, directed, and produced for herself, “Femme de Couleurs” (Woman of Colours, referring to her colorful choice of clothing) in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and North Africa. In this show, she humorously addresses diverse and controversial subjects, using a variety of accents and discussing topics like the veil, communitarianism, and mixed marriages. Orosemane was one of the revelations at the Les Impertinentes 2014 gala organized by Le Grand Point Virgule and au Feminin. American monthly magazine, Vanity Fair, ranked her among the 50 most influential French people in the world in December 2017. ALSO READ: Belgian, Rwandan comedians thrill crowd in style Michael Sengazi Sengazi is a member of Comedy Knights, the country’s first standup comedy group since 2010. The Rwandan-Burundian standup comedian has been in the spotlight for over a decade. He began his career as a poet and performing artist before transitioning to comedy and now cracks jokes for a living since then. In 2019, at the age of 36, Sengazi won the Prix RFI Talent du Rire, becoming the first Rwandan comedian and the fifth African to win this continental title since its inception in 2015. The award ceremony was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Chipukeezy Vincent Mwasia Mutua, known by his stage name Chipukeezy, is one of the most successful comedians from the local comedy show “Churchill Show” where he started in 2013. He also performed beyond Kenya’s borders, bringing his distinct comedic style to various stages. Known to his friends as Vinnie, Chipukeezy was born and raised in Tala, Machakos County, Kenya. He comes from a family of five children, all of whom are comedians. His father, Kinengo, often features in his jokes, as does his younger brother, Kimondio. Two of his siblings, Kimondio and Duke, are also known to the public. At 33 years of age, Chipukeezy is not only a comedian but also a radio and television personality. He has performed at notable events such as the Afrimma Awards in Dallas, Texas, in 2017, and at Royal FM Radio’s New On-Air studio in Kigali in 2018, among others. He will be performing in Kigali for the first time since 2016. Fally Merci Merci Ndaruhutse, commonly known by his stage name Fally Merci, is the man behind the renowned ‘Gen-Z Comedy Show’, which occurs twice a month and features local comedians. The show includes a special segment called ‘Meet Me Tonight’ where celebrities interact with their fans. Merci began his comedy career in when he was a high school (Senior Four) student, with his first performance in 2017 at Arthur Nkusi’s “Ijoro Rya Rutura” comedy show. His talent led to opportunities at larger events like Seka Live and Seka Fest, organized by Arthur Nation management. He was the only comedian among the finalists of the first edition of Art-Rwanda Ubuhanzi, which enabled him to perform at the Iwacu Muzika Festival. Born in Gishushu, Gasabo District, the 25-year-old is the third of four children. He grew up known for his humor, with many fond memories of him making people laugh from a young age. Herve Kimenyi Kimenyi is a founding member of Comedy Knights and has been in the spotlight since 2007. In 2013, he and Sengazi were casted by the director of a Berlin theatre company called Gintersdofer/Klassen to work on a play called ‘La Nouvelle Pensée Noire’ (The New Black Thinking). They performed in Munich for the SpielArt Theatre Festival from November 15-17, one of the biggest theatre festivals in Europe. Kimenyi also performed at the National Theatre in Kampala, Uganda, in 2014, and on several other occasions in Europe, mainly in Belgium, France, Germany, and other countries. He is one of the pioneers of Rwandan comedy industry.
