Kenyan comedian and entrepreneur Kendrick Mulamwah has shared the secrets behind his financial discipline and long-term wealth management. Speaking on the Over 1M Podcast with host Tony Mwirigi, the content creator revealed that he pays himself a fixed monthly salary of KSh 150,000 from his total business profits.
This structured approach is a significant step up from his early days in the industry. Mulamwah disclosed that when he first began managing his earnings, he started with a self-assigned salary of just KSh 30,000.
The “Principal” Mindset
Mulamwah explained that he treats himself as an employee within his own brand to avoid the common pitfalls of the gig economy. By limiting his personal spending to a fixed amount, he ensures that the bulk of his earnings—often from high-value brand deals—is reinvested or saved for “dry” seasons.
“Even if I make one million shillings, Idon’tsee it as my money to spend. I choose to pay myself like a school principal or an OCS,“he told the podcast.
He warned fellow creators about the dangers of peak seasons. He noted that many make the mistake of spending a million shillings in a single month, only to struggle when clients stop calling.
“By the way, I usually pay myself a salary of Ksh 150K. So, even if I get Ksh 10 million, my salary will be Ksh 150k, which I use for my errands, including paying rent and other necessities,” he added.
Diversified Investments
The comedian’s financial strategy has allowed him to build a substantial portfolio outside of entertainment. At the height of his investment in the transport sector, Mulamwah owned a fleet of 46 to 47 motorbikes (boda bodas).
He has since reduced this number, often selling the bikes to his riders to empower them.
He is also currently completing a multi-million shilling mansion in his hometown of Kitale. He estimates that the construction has already cost over Ksh 10 million and expects the final figure to surpass Ksh 20 million.
The Long Road to Success
Despite his current success, Mulamwah’s journey was defined by persistence. A trained nurse from Moi University, he initially struggled to break into the mainstream comedy scene. He spent five years auditioning every single week for the Churchill Show before finally getting his big break.
Before his television debut, he was famously known as a “status comedian,” creating 15-second clips specifically for WhatsApp statuses because he did not yet understand how to use platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
“The enemy is poverty. I am just trying to get us out of the situation we were in,“he remarked regarding his drive.
Prioritising Peace
Mulamwah also touched on the mental toll of fame, recalling the 2020 incident where he burnt his signature performance shirt due to intense online bullying. Now, he says his focus has shifted from chasing every “shilling” to maintaining his peace and stability.
He remains a firm believer in investing in one’s rural home first, viewing it as an essential “fallback” plan should life in Nairobi ever become unsustainable.
