Comedian-turned-philanthropist Eric Omondi was left stunned after discovering that a Kitengela woman, Joyce Nyabuti, had staged a viral video to con Kenyans. The clip, which showed Joyce allegedly being abused while caring for her children, had raised KSh 1 million from sympathetic Kenyans.
Joyce and her friends had planned the scheme in advance. She admitted that the man seen in the video was not her husband but a passerby whom they paid KSh 200 to act the part. The video claimed her children had mental health struggles, aiming to generate sympathy and financial support. Joyce said they shot the video on a Sunday with her three friends to maximize impact.
Eric Omondi initially shared Joyce’s story and contact number with his followers, encouraging support. Soon after, he noticed inconsistencies in the claims. Links sent by Kenyans revealed that the boy Joyce claimed as her son was unrelated to her. Realizing the deception, Eric returned to Kitengela to uncover the truth.
After the exposure, Eric decided to give Joyce and her friends KSh 50,000 each to support their children while directing the rest of the donated funds to other genuine beneficiaries. This approach was advised by Terence Creative to ensure that no child went without care.
The revelation drew strong reactions online. Some netizens expressed frustration over the misuse of donations, while others highlighted that such scams could make people skeptical of real domestic violence cases. Many urged that the KSh 1 million be redirected to children in actual need.
In related news, Eric Omondi recently helped a bedridden Githurai mother discovered by actress Dorea Chege. The woman, who had been immobile for four years, received KSh 9 million in donations through Eric’s platform and was moved into a new home. This contrasted sharply with the Kitengela scam, showing the comedian’s continued commitment to supporting genuinely needy families.
The Kitengela incident serves as a cautionary tale on the importance of due diligence before fundraising. Eric Omondi’s quick action ensured that deceivers were exposed and resources were redirected to authentic cases of need.
