Comedian-turned-philanthropist Eric Omondi has lifted the lid on an alleged scam that almost robbed Kenyans of more than KSh 1 million through his charitable initiative, Sisi Kwa Sisi.
Earlier this week, a viral video circulated online showing a woman identified as Joyce Nyabuti being chased out of her home, purportedly by her husband. The video, which sparked widespread outrage and sympathy, portrayed Nyabuti as a victim of domestic strife linked to her children’s mental health challenges. Many Kenyans turned to Omondi, who has become a central figure in grassroots philanthropy, urging him to step in and help.
Responding to the public outcry, Omondi mobilized his followers, raising more than KSh 1 million in just a few hours. The funds were intended to help Nyabuti rebuild her life, start a business, and secure a permanent home.
However, Omondi’s team quickly launched their routine verification process. What they uncovered shocked both the comedian and his supporters. According to Omondi, Nyabuti, together with a woman introduced as her sister, had staged the entire eviction. A man acting as her husband and even a borrowed child were allegedly used to make the story convincing enough to tug at Kenyans’ heartstrings.
“One of the principles of Sisi Kwa Sisi is that we do serious due diligence before, during, and after a case,” Omondi said in a statement. “These individuals tried to scam Kenyans, but we caught them.”
Omondi has since handed over the mobile phone used to collect the contributions to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The suspects are currently being held at Kitengela Police Station as investigations continue.
“It is very sad that they would use innocent children in such a scheme,” Omondi added, noting that the safety of the funds and transparency remain the cornerstone of Sisi Kwa Sisi.
This case highlights both the generosity of Kenyans and the risks posed by opportunistic fraudsters exploiting public compassion. Omondi has assured supporters that the donated funds are secure and will be redirected to genuine cases in need.
