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Being an African comic in the American comedy scene is no easy feat. But Dennis Onsarigo, populary known as Dubai has made a name for himself and won awards, while at it as his wife Fahima Maronga narrates.

When Fahima Maronga heard that a Kenyan comedian would perform at a popular club in Seattle, US, in March 2019, she decided there would be no way she could miss such an event held in her neighbourhood. Little did she know she was going to meet the love of her life, Dennis Onsarigo Maronga aka Dubai.

 “We met at a party. Dubai had recently relocated to Seattle from Wichita, Kansas. He was hosting a party at one of the popular clubs in Seattle. I went to this event and looking back now, I’m not sure how I caught his eye in that sold-out room,” she recalls.

American dream

Dubai says Fahima’s beauty stood out in the crowd. He couldn’t waste the chance of getting to know her. “He asked me for a date, and the rest is history.

We now have one child. We will be celebrating our three-year-anniversary this month,” adds Fahima who was born in Somalia, but relocated to Kenya because of war in her country. She later moved to Seattle, USA at age 13. 

Dubai is currently a celebrated Kenyan comedian in the US. Since his childhood, Dubai always wanted to be a dentist.

Part of his childhood was spent in Lang’ata Nairobi before his family relocated to Maringo Posta, Nairobi, where his passion for acting was born.

For two years, he was a set book actor and further sharpened his skills at the Kenya National Theatre and Alliance Francaise between 2007 and 2008. Dubai also featured in a local TV programme Makutano Junction in 2008. 

In 2008, Dubai applied for a scholarship at Wichita State University, a medical school in the US and got it. He relocated to the US the same year to pursue a degree in medicine, but still continued with his acting passion. He also started producing music and later on ventured into comedy. 

Busy schedule

In Dubai’s podcast, the African Excellist, he hosts immigrant artistes, who share their craft with his audience.

“He has collaborated with One Vibe Africa to host artistes such as Owuor Arunga, Kalamashaka, Boutros, Nazizi, the 2001 Grammy Award-winning reggae legend Pato Banton, among others to organise shows in various places in the US, such as Seattle Art Museum, Space Needle, Glass Gardens and even universities,” she reveals.

In his 14 years stay in the US, Dubai has bagged many awards and major recognitions in his career including, best International Producer 2015, Artist of the City Award 2017, Best African Comedian North West 2018, Bill And Melinda Gates Africa Day festival 2019, Mr Kenya Washington 2019, African Achievement Awards, Comedian Of the Year 2020 and 2021. 

“He has hosted Washington State annual Juneteenth March and celebrations for two consecutive years. Juneteenth is attended by thousands of Seattleites.

For two years, he has also hosted Umoja Festival (African, Caribbean and Black summer holiday) which celebrates the best of the African American community and African Diaspora culture in the northwest with music, food and culture.

He has also hosted the biggest black comedy festival at the world famous Museum of Pop Seattle, which boasted of comedy legends such as D-militant, Isiah Anderson Jr, Rio Chanae among others,” she says. 

During Covid-19 pandemic, he was the MTV base Quarantine Virtual Show host, which featured Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Burna boy, Falz, Fally Ipupa, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, Akothee and more.

Moreover, he was the party-giver at the African Princes of Comedy tour 2021 that featured the Mount Rushmore of African comedians in the US including Foxy P, Dulo, Aphricanape, Uncle Azeez, Clifford Owusu and more.

Dubai has had the privilege to host the biggest Afrocentric Festival Shows and curtain raised for celebrities such as Michael Blackson, Ali Saddiq, Nate Jackson, Mike Epps, Comedian Trixx and many more. “He just concluded a 20 city African Princes of Comedy Tour in 2021 to support African businesses affected by Covid-19,” she says. 

Fahima is responsible for training, quality assurance programmes and workforce management at Kicheko Project Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded by her husband in 2021. She is also a digital creator and a health professional.

“Through Kicheko Project Foundation, we collaborated with other NGOs to launch immunisation, youth summits, rent relief and food campaigns for immigrants who are not eligible to work, but needed help to survive during the Covid-19 lockdown,” she says.

Fahima says that through her husband, she has discovered how being an African comic in the American comedy scene is no easy feat, it’s not for the weak. Three key values have kept them going: Patience, empathy and therapy. 

Building a marriage that last

Dubai’s work can be stressful and therefore, she ensures he gets some peace of mind. “I’m enthusiastic about his projects and cheer him on.

I give him weekly pep talks, help him organise his schedule and plan his calendar. I frequently remind him of all the wonderful reasons I believe in him.

He is the most positive guy I know and he pushes everyone around him. He makes me laugh a lot and loves to do things with me. If I take up a hobby, Dubai takes it up. If I like a certain kind of food or music, he learns to like it,” she says. 

However, being in the limelight and having many job opportunities has some challenges as well. “I didn’t sign up to be married to a successful and workaholic husband.

Our schedules are mostly synced, but not all the time. Also, my husband is around constant temptation —he works with beautiful women and who wouldn’t feel threatened?

However, in any marriage, it’s important to consider your partner’s needs and wants, not just your own. My husband is accustomed to attention and admiration and I’m glad he has never disrespected me in any way,” she asserts.

“A new relationship is full of potential, possibilities, and discovery—not only of our partners, but of ourselves and our needs, wants, and desires. It’s easy to instantly start comparing your relationship to others or partners, but it won’t do you any good and it breeds insecurity,” she says.

“Stay in the moment, be present and open. I am a Muslim and my hubby is a Christian. One person cannot satisfy all your needs, take responsibility for your own needs.

Look to your partner for support, encouragement, and help. Don’t let finances, family dynamics, religion or culture rob you of a beautiful experience.

Think of your partner as a business partner or consultant, a better friend than an enabler, sponsor or a life raft,” she advises. 

“Ask yourself; what values do you both share? Why are you together? Is it a conditional relationship? The wealthy and successful today may hit rock bottom anytime.

Be smart, the one you overlook today may be the most successful person in future. Work on yourself, your trauma, depression and any negative experience before your date.

Fixing your mental and emotional space is your job. Love is not perfect, but is a far cry from loneliness and isolation,” she says in conclusion.