Pascal Tokodi

EARLY LIFE

Pascalino Lpesinoi Lenguro Tokodi was born on 21 April 1993 in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, Kenya. He is the second-born in a family of nine. His father is a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officer, and his mother is a medical practitioner. The family moved with his father’s postings to places such as Mt. Elgon, Mt. Kenya, Mtito Andei, Voi, and Lamu. He attended St. Mary’s Primary School in Rongai, where he began entertaining classmates through singing and performance. He proceeded to Lenana School in Nairobi for secondary education, completing in 2011. At Lenana he joined the drama club from Form 1, experienced performance anxiety (which he later recognised), and won Best Actor at the national drama festivals for three consecutive years, plus the Chaguo la Teeniez award for most entertaining teen. His parents have been described as his greatest supporters.

CAREER

Pascal Tokodi is a multi-talented Kenyan entertainer active since 2012 as an actor, musician, director, and comedian. Acting: He secured his first professional contract while still in Form Four and debuted in Makutano Junction (Citizen TV, 2012–2015) shortly after high school, which enabled him to move into his own two-bedroom house at age 19. Subsequent roles include Guy in Kenya’s first musical TV drama Groove Theory (2013–2014), Isaac in Pray & Prey (2014–2015), Nelson Mackenzie in the Swahili telenovela Selina (2016/2017–2020; contacted via Nick Mutuma), Otis in the romantic comedy Disconnect (2018; later Disconnect: The Wedding Planner), and credits in Run Kenya, Get Me a Job, Marikiti Women, Midlife Crisis, Ayaanle, A Familiar Christmas, Untying Kantai (2024), Makosa ni Yangu (2024), and others. Awards: Best Supporting Actor in a Film (Kalasha 2018 for Disconnect), Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama (Kalasha 2019 for Selina), Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or TV Series (AMVCA 2020 for Disconnect). He has also referenced winning Best Actor three years in a row at national drama festivals. Music: He placed third in the Tecno Own the Stage karaoke competition (winning KSh 1 million). Debuted with the single Sitaki (2016; millions of YouTube views). Signed to Kaka Empire in 2017. Other singles and collaborations include Hii si Kwaheri, Forget and Milele (with King Kaka), African Lady, Asante Mama, Songa, and Naito (2020). Style leans toward R&B. Directing & Other: Has directed TV commercials for brands including Safaricom (Tunukiwa), Ilara Fresh Milk (Mawowowo), KCB Bank, and Telkom Kenya. Also works as a creative director, comedian, and entrepreneur. He has spoken about the discipline of earlier sets versus modern production paces and the pressures of fame.

PERSONAL LIFE

In 2020 he married Grace Ekirapa (former TV host, gospel singer, psychologist/counselor, and corporate MC) in a private ceremony. They met at a Java outlet and described it as love at first sight. The couple experienced the loss of a first pregnancy/child in June 2021. They welcomed a daughter, Jasmine Ariah (or Airah) Lenguro Tokodi (also known as AJ), in April 2022 (on or around Pascal’s birthday). They separated/divorced around late 2023–early 2024 and have focused on co-parenting. Tokodi has spoken about the intrusive media coverage of the split, the importance of privacy, therapy, and how fatherhood has deepened his care and purpose. He has expressed openness to remarrying in the future. He enjoys motorbike riding (self-taught via YouTube; rides long distances for relaxation), travel, visiting animal parks, and celebrity impressions. His favourite actor is Denzel Washington (John Q is a favourite film).

Tokodi embodies a multi-hyphenate career built on early talent recognition, hard work, and versatility across acting, music, and directing. He advocates for mental health support (therapy) in dealing with fame and personal challenges, prioritises his daughter, and continues creating while maintaining boundaries around private life. He remains active in Kenyan film, television, music, and commercial work.