The Kenyan acting community is in mourning following the untimely death of Charles Ouda, affectionately known as Charlie, at the age of 38. The somber news was conveyed by the family of Charles and Ciru Muriuki on Sunday.
In an official statement, the family expressed, “Dear friends and family, it is with great sadness that we share the passing of Charles ‘Charlie’ J. Ouda on the night of February 3, 2024.”
The family has appealed for privacy for Charlie’s fiancée and the Ouda family as they navigate through this challenging period. They also requested space to grieve this significant loss, with additional details to be shared in due course.
Charles, renowned for his impactful contributions to various film projects such as ‘Makutano Junction,’ ‘The First Grader,’ and ‘Count It Out,’ was not just a talented actor but also a distinguished film director and scriptwriter.
Charlie’s influence extended to television shows like The Know Zone Changing Times [KTN], Higher Learning, Changes, Mali [NTV], Second Family, Crime and Justice [Showmax], and Salem [Maisha Magic].
His exceptional talents garnered him numerous accolades, including the esteemed title of Best Director at the 2016 Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shoot Out, along with multiple awards from the NYC Indie Film Awards.
Charlie was engaged to Ciru, the former BBC Africa presenter, and the couple had joyfully announced their engagement in September 2023, charming many with their endearing moments.