Comedian-turned-philanthropist Eric Omondi has revealed that a woman at the centre of a viral eviction video attempted to scam Kenyans out of more than KSh 1 million.
Earlier this week, a clip circulated online showing a woman identified as Joyce Nyabuti being allegedly chased out of her home by her husband. The video sparked outrage and sympathy, with many Kenyans appealing to Omondi to intervene through his charitable initiative, Sisi Kwa Sisi.
Nyabuti claimed she had been thrown out following a dispute linked to her children’s mental health challenges. She further alleged that a friend had taken her in after her husband forced her out.
Moved by the public outcry, Omondi rallied his followers on social media to raise funds for the woman. Within hours, over KSh 1 million had been contributed, with the money intended to help Nyabuti start a business and secure her own home.
However, investigations by Omondi’s own team uncovered that the story was fabricated. According to Omondi, Nyabuti, together with another woman she introduced as her sister, had conspired to stage the eviction. They enlisted the help of a man, presented as her husband, and even used a friend’s child to bolster sympathy from the public.
“One of the principles of Sisi Kwa Sisi is that we do serious due diligence before, during and after a case. These individuals tried to scam Kenyans, but we caught them,” Omondi said in a statement.
Omondi says he has handed over the mobile phone used to collect the contributions to officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who detained the suspects at Kitengela Police Station pending further inquiry.
“It is very sad that they would use innocent children in such a scheme. The phone, which already had KSh 1 million, is now in police custody. We are seeking guidance from Team Sisi Kwa Sisi on the way forward,” Omondi concluded.
KBC Digital
