Renowned comedian Daliso Chaponda reveals he studied in Kenya - but never learned one Swahili word

Speaking at a TV tabloid show, the UK-based comic revealed that due to his father's 'good education', he also ended up schooling in elite British schools in Africa, one of which was Kenton College in Kileleshwa, Nairobi. 

Chaponda went on to reveal that, at Kenton, he never got the chance to learn Swahili, describing the school as 'more British' than actual British schools in Britain. 

"Because my dad has a good education I ended up going to British posh schools in Africa. I went to a school called Kenton College in Kenya which is more British than any school here," he said. 

"You take it for granted but when I look back, the curriculum made no sense because I was in Kenya, surrounded by Kenyans, didn't learn one word of Swahili."

The celebrated comic, who shot to fame back in the 2017 series of Britain's Got Talent, went on to jocularly say that he learned more Swahili from the Lion King than he did at Kenton College. 

"I learned more Swahili from the Lion King than my British school. Instead, I learned English, French, Latin...." he recalled. 

After making the revelations, Kenyans camped at the famed comedian's Tiktok page, many wondering where, exactly, was Kenton School in Kenya and why had they never heard of it.

One Tiktok user said, "I've lived in Kenya for 35 years and I've never ever heard of Kenton College. We actually have such a school here? Where is it? Asking for myself..."

Another said, "You mean there are Kenyan schools which don't teach Swahili? I was today years old when I learned that!" 

And when another user said, "Not learning Swahili was his and his parents' choice," Chiponda answered, "I was 8. You don't choose what you learn at primary school. You just accept that's what you should learn." 

Kenton College is a premier preparatory school located in Nairobi's posh Kileleshwa area.

According to their website, Kenton College pupils "enjoy 35 acres of excellent facilities and an outstanding education in a friendly and welcoming international school community."

They also say that the school "aims to provide a purposeful and happy environment, with opportunities for children of all races and cultures."

In 2017, Chaponda, the Kenton College alumni, auditioned for the television talent series Britain's Got Talent. 

Judge Amanda Holden used her "Golden Buzzer" to help him advance to the semi-finals. He eventually came third in the competition and went on to sign with BBC Radio 4 to create a new series called "Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere."