David Owira alias Otonglo is the adopted son of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He shot to the limelight in 2013 while he recited an oral narrative of a man who went to Nairobi in search of money (otonglo) during the drama festivals in Mombasa that left President Kenyatta in stitches.
This marked a new beginning in his life.
President Kenyatta scheduled a meeting with Otonglo, then a Form 2 student at Highway Secondary School and asked him what he wanted.
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File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta and David Owira 'Otonglo'. |Photo| Courtesy|
“I was torn between money and a piece of land. After serious thought, l picked education,” Otonglo revealed during a 2017 interview.
“I have today offered a full education sponsorship up to the university level to Daniel Owira when he visited me at State House," President Kenyatta posted after offering him the scholarship.
At the time, he lived with his family at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums. He was taken in by the Head of State and the Kenyatta Trust, an organisation founded by the Head of State covered his education all the way to university.
This earned Otonglo the title of "president's son", though he divulged to NTV in 2020 that he does not have the access to State House as some may perceive.
“If I was in a position to get my father’s (Uhuru Kenyatta’s) audience almost every day, I think I could have been overwhelming him with a lot of things that Kenyans sit me down and tell me,” he told comedian Dr King’ori.
He scored a min grade of C+ in KCSE in 2015 from Highway Secondary School and proceeded to join Multimedia University where he studied journalism, film and animation.
The Kenyatta Trust provided him with a monthly stipend for accommodation, food and other expenses. It also supported his mother’s business.
Otonglo graduated on December 18, 2020, and set out to fend for himself after President Kenyatta lifted him from the slums and helped him through school.
File image of David Owira 'Otonglo'. |Photo| Courtesy|
Speaking to Nation on January 21, 2021, he revealed that he had a bit of fear of having to start fending for himself after being introduced to the rich life.
“Let me say that the immediate reaction is being scared. Let’s just be honest with each other, my brother: The world is not fair. It does not smile at you every day. So, you have to be scared.
“Also, at the end of the day, we need a bit of fear in us because that is what triggers adrenaline that tells you to get up and face your challenges. So, to be honest, I can say I am scared. But that fear put some sort of adrenaline in me that gave me the opportunity to know that things will be all right,” Otonglo stated.
Since completing his internship with Oakwood Brand Consulting in Nairobi in December 2020, the President's son stated that he is still learning and was looking to work under someone or for a company as to gain experience before starting his own company.
“I am still a work in progress. There is a lot I need to learn; I am still new to the world. They say the best way to learn how to walk and even to start walking fast and running is by learning from other people," he stated.
“I am looking forward to at least learning under someone; so that when I feel that I truly have strong wings to fly, then why not? I’ll fly like everybody else," he added.
Otonglo is talented and had an eye for arts and entertainment as his ticket away from slum life.
He has in the past featured in advertisements including the “Kaduda Kaselfie” phone sales promotion blitz organised by Telkom Kenya.
He maintains that he is open to pursuing advertising as a source of income as done by several other comedians in the country including Eric Omondi, Jalang'o et al.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Otonglo is currently attached to the Department of Information Communications at the President's Delivery Unit - Executive Office of the President.
Since his encounter with President Kenyatta, a lot in his life and family has changed.
For instance, his mother, Rose Owiyo, moved from Mukuru slums to Tassia Estate, Embakasi before eventually relocating to Kisumu.
“She stayed in Tassia for a couple of years until she called us as a family and said she felt she was getting old. She said it would be good if she went close to home (in Siaya County). So, we organised and took her to Kisumu.
“She is doing business in Kisumu. She sells fish and other types of food here and there,” Otonglo stated.
“She’s a strong woman who tries to the best of her ability. She has helped in raising the entire family and the grandchildren. I won’t say she is totally fine, but she has to struggle like other women because the support (from the President) was for her business, and you know it is upon us to continue the business that was boosted," he added.
Otonglo, however, notes that with the fame of being the President's son, also came a number of disadvantages.
He revealed that since then, a lot of false things about him are published or posted online.
Also, a section of people tend to become friends with him with the intention that he can connect them with President Kenyatta.
File image of Ngina Kenyatta and David Owira 'Otonglo'. |Photo| Courtesy|
