Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu’s Viral Skit by Comedian Eric Omondi Sparks Discussion

Suluhu is trolled by Omondi, which incites rage!

The comedian made jokes about Diamond Platnumz being a national treasure while posing as the president. 

Reactions to the video were divided, with some people worried that Omondi might be banned from traveling.

Those who know the comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi know that he has a special talent for using his humor to dissect popular subjects and transform them into comedic performances.

The continuing online spat between Tanzanians and Kenyans over their president’s comments regarding Kenyan activists presented Omondi with an opportunity this time.

Omondi looked for a long green garment, sunglasses, and a red hijab that would give him the appearance of President Suluhu’s signature attire.

In the almost three-minute comedy short, Omondi portrayed President Suluhu, who traveled to several places in what seemed to be a presidential tour to examine developments. He then spoke to the locals in Tanzania’s native Swahili dialect.

Then he started talking to the audience about the initiatives, but a male student interrupted him by joking that he looked like artist Diamond Platnumz, which is how presidents usually interact with random children.

He started starting all of the projects with names connected to the artist and made the joke that the Diamond is a Tanzanian national treasure that needs to be preserved at all costs.

He whispered to Mammito, who was resuming his position as President Suluhu’s female aide de camp, “Let’s have a Diamond primary school for Diamond’s children, let’s also have Wasafi diapers for Diamond’s children, Wasafi Maternity and Diamond Baby Shop so that we can take care of Diamond as a place, and let’s give him Wasafi mattresses.”

Kenyans and Tanzanians, however, had differing opinions on the amusing video. Some said he had strained ties with Tanzania and would be refused entry if he attempted to visit the country.

“Eric Omondi, we Tanzanians are very happy with your art. Five more years to you, brother,” said @mfuasi2014.

“Dude just canceled his next appearances in Bongo Land,” said @Hakeel.

@silwanjala: “You are a marked man, Eric Omondi. Usiende TZ. You will be abducted and tortured by Suluhu Samia for this.

@stevenadogo: “Hii, Amecheza made a mistake by insulting his largest fan base, Iko Tz, and there are repercussions for trolling their president.”

Eric Omondi, a comedian, has a history of “trolling” and making controversial remarks, especially about Tanzanian performers and the country’s entertainment sector.

Tickets to a nearby concert

Using satirical images and films, he has previously targeted Tanzanian musicians such as Diamond Platnumz and Zuchu, frequently emphasizing their close friendship while they insisted in public that they were only coworkers. 

Designed to elicit reactions, these humorous attempts have frequently gone viral and garnered a lot of interest from fans and the larger East African entertainment community.

Omondi has also occasionally scolded or made remarks about Tanzanian musicians. For example, during the Trace Music Awards, he “warned Tanzanians over Bien” and implied that Kenya had “embarrassed them.”

The way Kenyan activists were treated—some were refused admission to Tanzania while attempting to attend Tundu Lissu’s treason trial in court—has fanned an ongoing rivalry between Kenya and Tanzania that has been going on for weeks, spanning from the entertainment sector to political criticism.