Charles J. Ouda

Charli is no stranger to the limelight in Kenya. Having begun his professional entertainment career before completing his International Baccalaureate [I. B.] Diploma at St. Mary’s School, Nairobi (in 2003, where the subject matter included Advanced Level Theatre Arts), Charli has been acting for 10 years. His first performance was at the Kenya National Theatre in Eric Wainaina “Lwanda, Man of Stone”. The musical, performed under the auspices of Sterling Quality Entertainment Company Limited, received wide acclaim for its fresh and innovative approach at telling Kenyan stories with Kenyan music. Charli went on to perform in six other musicals with Sterling Quality Entertainment Company Limited. His immense talent and ability to bring out characters led to him being a lead character in all subsequent Sterling Quality shows, including playing Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” [2004] and Onesmus in Nancy Day and Mkamzee C. Mwatela’s “Malaika” [2005]. Charli recently toured Europe last year, as part of the ensemble cast of the show “Out of Africa: Journey Through Magical Kenya”.
Charli also had time to work with The Phoenix Players, performing in 12 plays, directing 2 and hosting two cabaret shows. Charli has also been a lead player on the cast of two of Kenya’s most successful television series, “BETTER DAYS” [Kenya Television Network] and “MAKUTANO JUNCTION” [The Mediae Company]. Charli still works with The Mediae Company, hosting and writing their children’s show, “THE KNOW ZONE”
Charli assisted in the composition of background music and underscores together with BAFTA award winner Simon Brint as well as writing screenplays throughout the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh series and directing scenes in the show’s last two series.
Aside from his numerous stage and screen credits, Charli also found time to work in music…most notably, with the Coca Cola PopStars group SEMA, co-writing the song “Fire in your Kiss” on their album MWEWE and saxophonist Jackson Munala Anduuru, co-writing the song “Unconditional” on his debut album “SIMPLY PUT”. Charli basically never left music, although his voice has changed quite a bit since his first singing appearance with the CocaCola PopStars competition. Coming back after years, Charli released "Superstar" featuring Nemesis and his hope is that it will be one of songs that Kenya and Africa can be proud to call their own.