Henry Desagu, once a towering figure in Kenya’s comedy scene, is grappling with a drastic decline in his YouTube viewership. The once-celebrated comedian, known for his relatable humor and satirical skits, has seen a dramatic shift in his career trajectory.
While he once garnered millions of views, recent uploads on his YouTube channel now struggle to reach even 10,000 views, sparking concerns about his financial stability and mental health.
Desagu, whose real name is Ithagu Kibicho, began his comedy journey in 2016, initially posting short skits on Facebook. His early videos received little traction, and he often uploaded content without any engagement.
However, as time went on, his brand of comedy started to resonate with audiences, and his presence grew rapidly on YouTube. By 2019, he had hit the 100,000-subscriber milestone, which fueled his growth to over 400,000 subscribers within the following year.
At the peak of his career, he amassed 62 million views on his channel, reportedly earning upwards of KSh 800,000 monthly from YouTube alone.
Yet, a recent examination of Desagu’s channel paints a different picture. In stark contrast to his previous success, most of his current videos barely surpass a few hundred views.
By 2020, Desagu was one of the most popular YouTubers in Kenya, with videos that reached millions and an income that provided him with a comfortable lifestyle.
However, his career began showing signs of strain as he started incorporating more brand endorsements and advertisements into his content.
Some Kenyans speculated that his downfall began when he shifted focus from comedy to promotional work, alienating his fanbase, who had initially supported him for his humor.
Critics argue that this pivot contributed to the decline in engagement, as fans began to perceive his content as overly commercialized. Desagu’s comedy, which once captured the essence of everyday struggles, was overshadowed by brand advertisements, leaving many feeling he had lost his authenticity.
In recent days, reports have surfaced suggesting that Desagu is facing significant financial and personal challenges.
The comedian’s recent behavior has raised eyebrows, particularly after a concerning post on Facebook where he hinted at feeling unsafe and extended well-wishes to his family. Though he quickly deleted the post, it left fans worried about his mental health and well-being.
Following the post, he reassured followers that he was okay, but the incident added to the ongoing speculation about his struggles.
The situation took a distressing turn when a local teacher, Mwalimu Francis Njiriri, shared a startling account of encountering Desagu in a disoriented state. Njiriri described how he found Desagu wandering dangerously along the Thika-Ngoingwa-Mangu Road, oblivious to oncoming traffic and mumbling incoherently.
In his account, Njiriri recounted that he and other good Samaritans managed to guide Desagu off the road and took him to Level 5 Hospital, where he was attended to by a psychiatrist.
“He was not in his right mind, shouting and speaking incoherently. Thankfully, we got him the medical attention he needed,” Njiriri shared in a post.
