Once one of Kenya’s most beloved comedians, Henry Desagu, who amassed millions from his popular YouTube comedy skits and lucrative brand endorsements, is now facing hard times.
Reports indicate that Desagu is struggling financially, and his recent public behavior has raised concerns among fans and fellow Kenyans.
A glance at Desagu’s YouTube channel reveals his struggle to regain the traction he once had.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Desagu’s videos consistently reached millions of viewers.
However, his recent uploads now struggle to hit even 50,000 views, reflecting a stark shift in his online popularity and income streams.
With limited income from sporadic WhatsApp advertisements, which pay only modestly, Desagu’s financial situation has reportedly worsened.
In a cryptic Facebook post a few days ago, Desagu hinted at feeling unsafe and even wished his family a happy life, implying he was undergoing a challenging phase.
Although the post was quickly deleted, it had already sparked concern across social media.
He later reassured his followers that he was okay, but the statement left many questioning his mental well-being.
The situation escalated when a good Samaritan, Mwalimu Francis Njiriri, shared a troubling account.
Njiriri recounted that while running errands along the busy Thika Highway, he encountered Desagu, who appeared disoriented and was dangerously wandering in the middle of the road.
Vehicles honked as Desagu, seemingly unaware of his surroundings and appearing intoxicated, walked aimlessly while muttering incoherently.
“This morning, at around 9:40 AM, I was on the Thika-Ngoingwa-Mangu Road when I saw a young man walking in the middle of the road, unbothered by the traffic around him. I decided to check, and to my surprise, it was none other than Henry Desagu,” Njiriri wrote in a post.
With the help of several others, Njiriri managed to get Desagu off the road and rushed him to Level 5 Hospital, where a psychiatrist, Dr. Catherine, attended to him.
“He was not in his right mind, shouting and speaking incoherently. Thankfully, we got him the medical attention he needed,” Njiriri concluded, thanking those who helped.
Desagu’s predicament has since sparked an outpouring of support and speculation among Kenyans. Many wonder how such a high-earning YouTuber could find himself in such a situation.
Some suspect financial mismanagement, while others point to possible struggles with alcohol or depression.
A concerned fan, Dr. George Maiyo, commented, “It’s tough when you’re used to a high lifestyle and suddenly have no gigs to pay your bills, especially with a family depending on you.” Another fan, Kamau Ke, pointed out, “Some blame witchcraft, but it seems alcoholism might be the real issue.”
