The performer known as the Kenyan Buddha has attracted attention with a costume designed to draw interest from potential employers.
The street performer holds a telecommunications engineering diploma and says his elaborate costume is part of an effort to attract employers and earn a living.
Geoffrey Mosiria has met the unemployed diploma holder known online as the Kenyan Buddha and promised to support him after his unusual street performances attracted public attention in Nairobi.
The young man, also known as Kienyeji Smarter, became a talking point after walking through the Central Business District in a Buddha-like costume. Behind the striking appearance was an effort to find work and draw the attention of companies.
During their conversation, Mosiria pledged to help the performer as he seeks a more stable future. He also urged Kenyans to assist with rent and other basic needs while the young man works towards supporting himself.
A striking costume with a job-seeking message
The performer’s outfit combined a white kanzu with a heavy mask resembling Buddha and large metallic shoes. The shoes produced a loud sound as he moved through the city, adding to the attention generated by his appearance.
He also carried a large board on his back, fashioned to resemble a smartphone. The display was part of a creative approach to getting noticed by businesses rather than simply an unusual choice of street attire.
His performances brought him online visibility, but the young man explained that he had turned to street content because of financial difficulties. He hoped the attention could lead to opportunities that had remained out of reach through his search for employment.
Diploma holder describes daily struggles
Kienyeji Smarter said he holds a diploma in telecommunications engineering but has struggled to secure a job. With limited money, he has continued creating content on the streets in the hope of improving his circumstances.
He said there are days when he walks from Uthiru to Nairobi CBD because he cannot afford transport. Support from people he encounters is unpredictable: on some days, well-wishers give him as much as Sh200, while on others he receives nothing.
He described unemployment as difficult, explaining that the hardship was the reason he kept performing. His account set out the financial pressure behind a costume that had initially drawn attention largely for its unusual appearance.
Meeting settles speculation over his identity
Mosiria’s meeting with the performer followed an appeal to members of the public to help identify him. Their conversation brought the young man’s employment search and immediate needs into focus.
The meeting also cleared up speculation about who was behind the mask. Some social media users had suggested that comedian Eric Omondi was responsible for the performances and was appearing in disguise.
Once the performer removed the mask, it became clear that he was not Omondi. Mosiria’s appeal for assistance centred on the young man’s rent and basic needs as he seeks a path towards financial stability.
