Bongo comedian Mzee Mjegeje, famous for the 'Kata simu, tupo site' line, dies in hospital

His manager Real Jimmy said the popular comedian passed away at Mwananyamala Hospital in Dar Es Salam where he was undergoing treatment. 

The famous phrase translated as “hang up (the phone), I am on site” became widely-popular across online platforms in Kenya where users often used it to confirm their presence or arrival at social events.

In the widely-circulated video, the comedic maestro could be seen conversing on a small phone, uttering the now-iconic lines, “Kata simu, kata simu, tupo site. We don’t like disturbance of the head, you understand.”

Since then, the humorous phrases from the video have been widely used in memes, and some artists have even incorporated them into their songs.

Mzee Mjegeje, also recognized as “Raisi wa Bagamoyo,” was a resident of Bagamoyo in the Pwani region of Tanzania.

His fame transcended borders, reaching international acclaim, particularly in Kenya in 2022 when his video “Kata simu, tupo site” went viral on social media platforms.

In addition to his comedic endeavours, Mzee Mjegeje ran a YouTube channel called WashaTube, where he shared funny skits and entertained his fans with his unique brand of humour.

Mzee Mjegeje had collaborated with several notable figures in the Tanzanian entertainment industry, including singer Harmonize. He had also expressed a desire to work with Diamond Platnumz.

He is survived by his wife and one child.