Speaking during an interview at AM TV on a podcast hosted by Alex Mwakideu, Tom Daktari, whose real name is Andrew Wambua Mboya, delivered a message that perfectly sums up his journey with the slogan “Usingoje uwe tayari.”

And honestly, his life proves it.

Tom narrates a childhood that was anything but smooth. School, for him, was not just about books, it was survival.

At one point, he recalls being caned 78 times, with teachers allegedly taking turns. Yes… 78. He also had to repeat Class 7, but somewhere in that struggle, something shifted.

From ranking 37, he suddenly started performing well, moving to the top 3 and life began to make sense to him.

His hustle started early. In high school, he sold avocados and saved enough to buy his first phone. Later, he spotted an acting group and decided, again, not to wait until he was “ready.” He jumped right into it.

He knew he was talented in oral literature and fasihi simulizi, so he auditioned as an actor and got in. And Tom being Tom, he even shared his knowledge whenever they went to perform in schools.

Then came campus. He says he once dreamt of becoming a priest, but those dreams were shattered, and he explains how it all happened. Tom says coming to town changed everything.

“Usikuje CBD,” he jokes, because, according to him, everything in Kenya happens there, and self-control becomes a full-time job.

His journey then led him to the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, thanks to a supportive brother who believed in him before the world did.

But even then, life didn’t slow down. Tom sold eggs, starting with just a bucket. And in true Tom fashion, he admits he once made kachumbari with only tomatoes, because apparently onions were “optional” in his version of life.

He later sold avocados and oranges and eventually landed at Nation, where he started working as a scriptwriter for Dr King’ori’s show, the Wicked edition alongside Nick Kwach.

From there, it’s been pure hustle, connections, and consistency. Today, he says comedy opened doors, but starting messy, unprepared, and unsure is what got him through them.

He also says that no one has a secret because life works differently for different people.

“If I follow the Alex way, I might not make it but if I try my own way that works for me then it might work.”

Now running multiple businesses, including a water venture, Tom stands as proof that clarity comes after action.