By Mark Allan Karanja
He has stolen our hearts with his incredible sense of humor as the beloved character “Hemedi” on Block D. But Abdi Hakim is a whole lot more than just a feather to tickle our ribs. This lover of all furry animals has had an incredible journey on his way to our screens and hearts, with over seven years’ experience in the world of acting. But all this came in an unexpected fashion.
“In 2007, I’d gone to KBC for an internship after college. There were auditions being held for actors. I tried out and landed a role on VITIMBI. My characters name was Mandera”, which he continued to play that for three and a half years with stints in Vioja Mahakamani, an undeniable staple in many Kenyan homes. He considers this role his first big break. “They- KBC - are the ones who exposed me because they had nationwide cover”. And thanks to this exposure, he landed other acting jobs here and there.
What is most remarkable is that Abdi had never acted before his debut on screen. “I never thought I would be acting, let alone doing comedy and on TV for that matter”. It wasn’t something that he had ever studied or something that he had ever delved into. It was an inborn talent. He best acts in Swahili. “It just comes more naturally to me. I have turned down roles because they were in English. It’s just not my thing”, he adds.
At the time that he was still doing dazzling audiences on KBC, Spielworks media was still a fledgling. “In 2010 Ndanu Kilonzo, the production manager then, came to look for me at KBC. They were looking for a Somali actor for the KATIBA show to enlighten people on the constitution”. The first season of Block D had already been shot but the second season was to come three years later in 2012, “and I was called to audition and Dorothy Ghettuba, the executive producer, was part of the audition panel”.
His character on BLOCK D is arguably the most popular of the cast on the show. He is the guy you would love to hate but love none the less. “He is friendly, loud but mostly misunderstood. He has a language issue that does not allow him to properly express himself. The information he passes is misunderstood. It can be taken as offensive or just misinformation”. But he is the glue that holds the inhabitants of Block D together. He is everyone’s friend or is connected to everyone in one way or another. Whether it is doing business with him or just coming over for a quick chat, he is the go-to guy.
Abdi admits to sharing unmistakable similarities with Hemedi, his character. “What we share most is charm and the fact that we both are jokers. We like to make people laugh”. At times, Abdi admits to Hemedi inhabiting his life. “When I meet a fan, someone who recognizes me from TV, I immediately assume the persona, and continue with it immediately after. It is rare but he pops up every once in a while. I enjoyed being him tremendously. I try to relive some of those fun moments”.
Some might argue that Hemedi is an unfair or stereotypical depiction of a certain group of Kenyans but Abdi is quick to point out that Hemedi is just a satirical character meant to bring nothing but humor to the audience. He has also featured in one of the few mobile based comedy series ever produced in Kenya, “MASAIBU YA ABDALAH”, where he takes his comical edge to a whole new level.
Currently “Hemedi” works as a production coordinator and set location manager, working on the recently concluded AMOF movies’ shoot by Spielworks Media. But more on that on another day. Keep is Spielworks media, the Home of Kenyan talent.