MC Jessy
{{short description|Kenyan comedian and television host}}
{{Infobox comedian|name=Jasper Muthomi|birth_place=Meru County|nationality=Kenyan|education=Daystar University|years_active=2011 — present|genre={{hlist|Stand-up comedy|Observational comedy}}|spouse=|children=1|notable_works=Host of Churchill Raw}}
Jasper Muthomi, professionally known as MC Jessy, is a Kenyan comedian, television host, and media personality. He rose to prominence through his work on the Churchill Show and as the host of its spin-off program Churchill Raw.{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2017-01-04 |title=Mc Jessy {{!}}Kenyan Comedian- Biography, Age, Family, Children, Photos. |url=https://kenyanlife.info/mc-jessy/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Digital |first=Standard |title=#MCM: Jasper Muthomi a.k.a MC Jessy- On his journey to stardom |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/celeb-profiles/article/2000144012/mcm-jasper-muthomi-aka-mc-jessy-on-his-journey-to-stardom |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en}}
Early life
Jasper was born in Meru County. He completed his primary education in Embu County. On the eve of his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams in 1999, his mother died, leaving him orphaned at age 12.{{Cite web |last=Osoro |first=William |date=2018-12-23 |title=My mother died on KCPE exams eve: MC Jessy’s life story |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/amp/news/article/2001307242/my-mother-died-on-kcpe-exams-eve-mc-jessys-life-story |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Standard Digital}} The loss disrupted his studies, forcing him to take a year away from formal education. He eventually resumed schooling when his aunt sponsored his enrollment at St. Cyprian Boys High School in Meru, where he developed his public speaking skills.{{Cite web |last=Njoroge |first=Josephine |date=2021-12-29 |title=MC Jessy: I lost my mum while writing my exams |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/mc-jessy-i-lost-my-mum-while-writing-my-exams/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Nation Africa}} After graduating, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Communications at Daystar University, funded by another benefactor.{{Cite web |last=Aroko |first=Amondi |date=2021-11-22 |title=MC Jessy Discloses He Lost His Mum on First Day of KCPE: "Ilikua Rehearsal Day" - Tuko.co.ke |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/434055-mc-jessy-discloses-lost-mum-day-kcpe-ilikua-rehearsal-day/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=www.tuko.co.ke |language=en}}
Career
Jessy's career began in radio, influenced by Kenyan broadcasters like Jeff Mwangemi and John Karani. Following internships at Standard Media Group and KTN, where he was mentored by journalist Larry Madowo, he transitioned to comedy. His breakthrough followed a chance encounter with comedian Daniel "Churchill" Ndambuki at a Nairobi restaurant, where Churchill invited him to audition for Churchill Show, leading to his debut in Season 2, Episode 36. He gained prominence in 2011 after joining the comedy show Churchill Show. His Meru-influenced humor resonated with audiences, leading to co-hosting opportunities. In 2012, he became the host of Churchill Raw, a spin-off focused on showcasing new comedic talent. He hosted the show until its conclusion in 2019, mentoring numerous comedians who later achieved their own success.{{Cite web |last=Leo |first=Nairobi |title=Major Role Larry Madowo Played in Comedian MC Jessy's Success |url=https://nairobileo.co.ke/features/article/6002/major-role-larry-madowo-played-in-comedian-mc-jessys-success |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Nairobi Leo |language=en-GB}}
In 2020, Jessy launched Jessy Junction on KTN, a program incorporating skits, interviews, and social commentary. The show aimed to provide a platform for grassroots talent and address social issues.{{Cite web |last=Zawadi |first=Rajab |date=2024-11-07 |title=My ambition to enter politics wasn’t money driven – MC Jessy |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/my-ambition-to-enter-politics-wasnt-money-driven-mc-jessy/ |access-date=2025-02-05}}
Jessy transitioned into politics in 2022, initially seeking the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party nomination for the South Imenti parliamentary seat.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-13 |title=MC Jessy drops bid for South Imenti MP seat after Ruto meeting |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/mc-jessy-drops-bid-for-south-imenti-mp-seat-after-ruto-meeting-3780936 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Nation |language=en}} After withdrawing from UDA, he ran as an independent candidate but was not successful. Following the election, he briefly hosted a show on NRG Radio in 2023{{Cite web |last=Wanjiku |first=Freya |title=Betty Kyallo and MC Jessy make grand comeback in the media |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/tag/mc-jessy/page/2/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=nairobinews.nation.africa |language=en-US}} before returning to comedy and advocacy work. He has advocated for greater support of Kenya's creative economy, including the establishment of a government-backed Creative Economy Council.{{Cite web |last=Kanuri |first=Wangu |date=2022-08-10 |title=MC Jessy concedes defeat in Imenti South parliamentary race |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/amp/article/?slug=mc-jessy-conceedes-defeat-in-parliamentary-race |access-date=2025-02-05}}{{Cite web |title=MC Jessy opens up on future plans after failed political career |url=https://mpasho.co.ke/exclusives/2023-01-02-mc-jessy-opens-up-on-future-plans-after-failed-political-career |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.mpasho.co.ke |language=en}}
Beyond his entertainment work, Jessy founded the Jessy Foundation in 2021, which focuses on youth mentorship in Meru County. He has also supported education initiatives, including donations to his alma mater, St. Cyprian Boys High School.{{Cite web |last=Mwangi |first=Nick |date=2020-12-18 |title=MC Jessy Launches Noble Initiative For Kenyan Youths |url=https://nairobiwire.com/2020/12/mc-jessy-launches-noble-initiative-for-kenyan-youths.html |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Nairobi Wire |language=en-US}}
Influences
Jessy credits Daniel "Churchill" Ndambuki as his primary mentor, stating, “Churchill gave me a platform to grow”.{{Cite web |last=Mwangi |first=Nick |date=2020-03-06 |title=MC Jessy Hails Churchill As "The Messiah of Comedy" |url=https://nairobiwire.com/2020/03/mc-jessy-hails-churchill-as-the-messiah-of-comedy.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Nairobi Wire |language=en-US}} He also cites American comedians Chris Rock atev, whose styles he studied under the guidance of Pastor David Adeoye at Winners’ Chapel Nairobi. Early influences include Kenyan radio hosts, whose on-air personas inspired his comedic delivery.
Personal life
A self-described “student of history,” Jessy is pursuing a Master’s degree in Political Science,{{Cite news |title=Mc Jessy: I almost never made it |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/amp/news/article/2001403671/mc-jessy-i-almost-never-made-it |access-date=2025-02-05 |work=The Standard |language=en-GB}} delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He maintains close ties to Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, whom he regards as a political role model.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-10 |title=Comedian MC Jessy joins politics, to contest for MP seat in 2022 |url=https://www.citizen.digital/entertainment/comedian-mc-jessy-joins-politics-to-contest-for-mp-seat-in-2022-n286710 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}
Work
===Television===
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2011
|Himself |10 seasons |
| 2012
|Churchill Raw |Himself (As Host) |9 seasons |
| 2020
|Jessy Junction |Himself (As Host) | KTN |
=Stand-up comedy=
Jessy performs at corporate events and comedy festivals, blending observational humor with cultural satire. His routines often address Kenyan politics and everyday life.{{Cite web |last=Syombua |first=Pauline |date=2017-12-08 |title=Churchill, MC Jessy among others to perform alongside top African comedians, now this is a big deal! |url=https://www.ghafla.co.ke/ke/churchill-mc-jessy-among-others-perform-alongside-top-african-comedians-now-big-deal/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Ghafla! Kenya |language=en-US}}
=Hosting=
Beyond television, Jessy emcees major events, including the Groove Awards and Nairobi Comedy Festival.