After establishing itself among big and consistent comedy shows in Kigali, Gen Z comedy will on March 21 celebrate a two-year anniversary at its current home, Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV). In celebrating this milestone, show host and funnyman Merci Ndaruhutse, also known by stage name as Fally Merci, announced a host of big comedy profiles in the region to headline the show. Among the headliners are Uganda’s Patrick Salvado and Dr Okello, Burindian Kigingi and locally celebrated Patrick Rusine. They will perform alongside various emerging comedians who rose to stardom via the Gen Z comedy concept. ALSO READ: Gen Z comedy show marks first year anniversary in laughter Gen Z comedy’s audience has grown over the past two years prompting organisers to relocate the show to bigger venues. From Art Rwanda-Ubuhanuzi Incubation Center in Rugando, where the story began, to Mundi Center, Rwandex and then Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV) Camp Kigali in September, 2023, the show’s fan base rose from to tens to thousands and, yet, it is showing no signs of going down. From the very beginning, Fally Marci brought Gen Z Comedy Show with an idea to give up and young creatives aspiring to become comedians a platform to showcase their talent as one of the factors impeding the development of upcoming comedians. Art-Rwanda Ubuhanzi gave Merci a platform to show what he can offer to the comedy industry and he is using the Gen Z concept to give back to the community, especially the young generation aspiring to ensure that their comedy talent thrives. The likes of Muhinde, Cardinal, Kepa Nyirudushya, Mavide and Pazzo, Admin, No Stress and Umushumba are among a long list of comedians who have seen light in comedy through Gen Z Comedy. And the platform is promising to produce more comedians in the near future. ALSO READ: Gen Z comedy show shifts to Camp Kigali Speaking to The New Times, Merci said the upcoming show is a celebration of what Gen Z has achieved over the past two years. “ It is not that easy to host a comedy show twice a month in two years and not miss any show but we did it. I’m grateful that we get to celebrate the second year in KCEV because it has been my target since the show’s inception,” said Ndaruhutse. The comedian promised the show to be ‘one of a kind, filled with so much laughter and hilarious jokes from talented comedians from Rwanda and East Africa’. Rwanda comedy pioneer Arthur Nkusi will be the guest of the show. Nkusi has over the years played a part in Merci’s rise since he started his comedy career. He has keenly seen him grow into one of established comedians. Nkusi was on the panel was Merci auditioned at Art-Rwanda Ubuhanzi in 2018. Entrance fee is Rwf5, 000 regular and Rwf10, 000 VIP. The doors to the venue will be open at 6pm.
