Editor's Review

His meteoric rise is powered by an effortless command of Sheng, which he uses to mirror the chaos, humour, and social pressures of everyday Kenyan life with a maturity far beyond his age.

One of the most talked-about breakout stars of Kenya’s digital space in 2025 is nine-year-old content creator Vincent Toroitich Kipyegon, popularly known as Champe.  

A Grade Four pupil from Baringo, Champe has become more than just a viral sensation; he is arguably one of the year’s most defining cultural figures. 

His meteoric rise is powered by an effortless command of Sheng, which he uses to mirror the chaos, humour, and social pressures of everyday Kenyan life with a maturity far beyond his age.

A big part of his charm is visual. Most of his skits are filmed in his rural home, with his brother frequently appearing in the background, sometimes perched on a tree, sometimes lingering awkwardly, forming an unintended but iconic layer of ongoing visual comedy. 

Narrating his journey during a past interview, Champe said he began shooting using his mother’s phone, initially inspired by Vybez Cartel, before shifting to everyday, unscripted situational humour that resonated more widely.

File image of Champe at an interview. [Photo: tu2u]

Although he had been posting for a while, 2025 became the turning point. His videos began dominating TikTok trends, leading to major media interviews, brand endorsements, and viral shoutouts from celebrities, including rapper Ssaru. 

His ability to turn ordinary frustrations into widely repeated catchphrases has given him an unmistakable footprint in mainstream Kenyan pop culture.

Below are five standout skits that cemented Champe as one of the defining voices of the year:

1. Sai Nimebuy Madigaga na Chain

A top-defining sound of 2025, this skit features Champe announcing his elevation with the now-famous line: "Sai nimebuy madigaga na chain, ni base tu imeaki niimbe kama Toxic Lyrikali." Loosely translated, he’s declaring that he has acquired the “drip”, sunglasses and a chain, and all he now needs is a deeper voice to rap like Toxic Lyrikali.

The skit captures the youthful hunger for status, ambition, and the confidence that comes with even the smallest wins. It became an anthem for “fake it till you make it” aspirations across social media.

2. Warembo Wananikufia

A hilarious exaggeration of boyish self-confidence, this skit hinges on the line: "Warembo wanikufia." It’s delivered with a mix of swagger and mild panic, joking about the intense attention he imagines he gets from girls.

Its brilliance lies in how accurately it captures the awkward bravado of young boys navigating admiration, real or imagined. The sound exploded as users reenacted moments of being overwhelmed by the attention they think they’re getting.

3. Ukinyima Last Born Pesa

This skit is a masterclass in family humour. Champe dramatises the chaos that unfolds when a last-born child is denied money, tapping into a widely recognisable Kenyan dynamic, the power and privilege of the last-born.

His exaggerated meltdown became instantly relatable, prompting thousands of parents and siblings to recreate the drama.

4. Umaskini Ni Kitu Mbaya Sana

Here, Champe turns the heavy subject of poverty into sharp, cathartic comedy with the lament: "Umaskini ni kitu mbaya sana."

The line became an unofficial national proverb during the 2025 cost-of-living crisis. TikTok users repurposed it to narrate every form of financial struggle, from low M-Pesa balances to failed side hustles, turning collective economic stress into a shared, humorous release.

5. Ukibishana na Mtu Anajua English

This skit is so hilarious. Champe reenacts an argument that collapses instantly when the other person abruptly switches to polished English.

His defeated reaction captured a deeply Kenyan cultural tension, the idea that fluent English can shift power in any interaction.

The sound went viral as the perfect expression of being outmatched, out-argued, or intellectually overpowered.