A Selfie Request Turns Into a Light Moment
At the Africa Mindset Reset Forum in Kigali on 24 August, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Kenyan comedian Crazy Kennar shared a light moment when Kennar asked for a selfie during a press conference. Kennar, whose real name is Kennedy Odhiambo, addressed Kagame and explained that his father often reminded him that content could take people places. "Lastly, Mr President, my father usually says that content can take people places. I just requested a selfie to show him that I met the president of Rwanda," Kennar said.
Kagame responded, "I will give you two." Kennar then walked to the front where Kagame was seated to take the photos. As he approached, the president jokingly asked him whether he was supposed to stand. The exchange prompted laughter before the two posed for selfies, with Kennar leaning towards Kagame as they took the photos.
After the forum, Kennar said, "This is what happened today. It was an honor to meet the President of Rwanda, His Excellency Paul Kagame, at the Africa Mindset Reset Forum hosted by the Africa School of Governance."
According to KenyanVibe, Kennar told the gathering that his request traced back to his father's advice, and he had spent time in Rwanda asking locals how they saw their president. Many described Kagame as a father figure, he said, and watching the president work the room that day reinforced that impression. Kagame, for his part, played along, adding, "I'm as crazy as you."
The Forum's Broader Agenda
The two met at the Africa-led forum in Kigali, which brought together leaders, innovators, and change-makers to discuss the leadership mindset and results culture needed to accelerate the continent's development, as reported by the-star.co.ke. The forum focused on Africa's ability to define its own priorities and develop home-grown solutions amid shifting geopolitics and tightening development finance. Discussions centred on strengthening institutions, mobilising capital, harnessing technology and moving from dialogue to practical action.
The gathering also explored the concept of "Meta-Africanism", which organisers describe as a continuation of Pan-Africanism, shifting the focus from solidarity and liberation towards building systems, creating value and strengthening Africa's capacity to deliver development outcomes. The forum sought to highlight African initiatives that are already working while connecting people driving change across the continent.
Crazy Kennar's Career Journey
Crazy Kennar is a top Kenyan digital content creator, comedian, and entrepreneur known for his relatable observational comedy and viral African presidents' skits, according to the-star.co.ke. Beyond his viral skits, he has expanded his creative reach with Happy Country, a comedy show that blends satire and humour to address societal issues.
KenyanVibe reported that Kennar launched the "Tales of Crazy Kennar" page in 2017 while at university, working with a six-member crew. The crew won multiple awards and became firm favourites in Kenya. However, the collaboration ended in 2023, with some former members saying they felt treated unfairly and have not spoken to Kennar since. Kennar's account of the split is that goals diverged, the group reached stagnation, and individual ambitions pulled in different directions. Former members including Useful Idioty, Stan and Shiro are thriving in their own lanes.
Kennar shifted to English to step around the Swahili language barrier, and he has received shoutouts from figures like Trevor Noah. His skit about an unnamed African government partnering with Spiderman was received almost universally across the continent.
A Skit and Its Aftermath
KenyanVibe noted that the moment carried extra charge because of a skit that had already made the rounds online, one in which Kennar cast a Kagame lookalike in a comparison of how different African countries relate to their presidents. The likeness had set tongues wagging for weeks, with viewers picking apart every gesture and mannerism the double borrowed from the real president. Meeting the man himself, days after that clip had circulated widely, gave the whole storyline an ending few had scripted for him.
The same outlet also mentioned that the abduction of political and art figures has been a recurring feature of East African public life, and that state apparatus in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda have allowed extra legal means against visitors and dissidents within the last year. The case of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye was cited as a visible recent example. These remarks were part of a broader commentary on the political context surrounding the meeting, though they were not central to the selfie exchange itself.