In Kenyan social media, one name is cracking up the nation: Gadwilliam Kiragu Kimani. Known affectionately as “Mwalimu Kiragu,”. This journalism student has skyrocketed from humble beginnings to amassing over 430,000 followers on TikTok in months, racking up 19.1 million likes with his spot-on impressions of high school teachers. With a knack for turning everyday classroom chaos into comedy, Kiragu isn’t just entertaining, he’s capturing the nostalgic hearts of an entire generation.
A Boy from Murang’a
Born in Murang’a and raised in the vibrant community of Umoja in Nairobi, Gadwilliam Kiragu’s early life was a blend of rural charm and urban energy. It was here that the seeds of his storytelling passion were planted. Attending Kerugoya High School, Kiragu was nicknamed “Mwalimu” for his teacher-like wisdom. “High school was all fun and games,” he recalls with a chuckle, reminiscing about the “interesting menus” that kept students buzzing between classes and the luxury of three canteens offering everything from chapati to sodas.
Unlike the bullying scandals that plagued earlier generations of Kenyan schools, Kerugoya was a beacon of progress. “Bullying was strongly condemned,” Kiragu shares, highlighting how the school’s strict policies fostered a safer, more supportive environment. These formative years, filled with teacher antics and cafeteria rivalries, would later become the blueprint for his viral content.
From Journalism Student to Content King
Now in his final year at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) pursuing a degree in Journalism, Kiragu’s path to fame feels like destiny. The 24-year-old started his content creation journey in early March 2025, armed with nothing but a smartphone and ideas. “For my love of content, ideas just flow, shooting myself has become second nature,” he explains, describing his organic creative process. No fancy scripts or crews; it’s raw, relatable satire straight from the heart.
His breakthrough? A series of TikToks and Instagram Reels nailing the quirks of Kenyan high school teachers. Videos like “High School Teacher Behaviors During Exams” and “Teacher in a Fit: Mastering a Foreign Language with Elegance” have gone viral, blending humor with accurate details that leave viewers entertained.
By May 2025, Kiragu was already fielding interview requests, appearing on K24 TV to weigh in on the GenZ manifesto and the government’s shaky strategies for supporting digital creators. “I don’t get gigs every day, I might get one once a month,” he candidly told the nation, urging policymakers to think beyond the elite. “The government is lacking strategies… consider whether this will work for all creators.” His honesty resonated, turning him to voice of the youth.
Obinna Show Live
Kiragu’s charisma shone brightest during a live chat on Oga Obinna’s Obinna Show Live, where he opened up about his rise. As a last-year KIMC student eyeing mainstream media, he shared his ultimate goal: “My dream is to be on mainstream media.” But it’s the collabs that get fans excited topping his list is Kenyan content titan Austin Muigai. “He’s the dream Kenyan creator to work with,” Kiragu beamed, envisioning a mashup of their styles that could break the internet.
Nominations have poured in too. In September 2025, he was up for Comedy Influencer of the Year at the Pulse Awards, rubbing digital shoulders with stars like Jaymohdecin and Hilarious Aura.
Follow Gadwilliam Kiragu on TikTok (@kiragu_kimani), Instagram (@gadwilliam_kiragukimani), and X (@gadwilliamKK) for your daily dose of high school comedy.