Comedian Eric Omondi helps raise Ksh. 1M for student with Ksh.32K school fees arrears

In the video, Lewis, a Form One student at Kimuri High School in Naivasha, is seen sobbing before a portrait of Christ at a church in his native Machakos County.

The cameraman, @Ephreim Bazuu, engages Lewis in conversation to understand his struggles.

"Niaje Lewis, uko aje? Mbona unakaa kama uko na stress?" the cameraman asks.

"Niko poa; niko na stress… sijaenda shule term mbili… nimekuja kutafuta Yesu nione kama atanisaidia kwenda shule kwa sababu sipati sponsors. Siko shule kwa sababu ya school fees… 32k na sina… nashindwa ntafanya nini," a tearful Lewis responds.

During their conversation, Lewis reveals that his parents lost everything after being forcibly evicted and their home was demolished for being built on riparian land.

"Wazazi wako nyumbani; hawana uwezo. Mahali tulikuwa tulibomolewa… tulikuwa tunaishi Chokaa tukabomolewa… walisema tulikuwa kwa mto," he says.

"Tulikuwa tumeenda mazishi ushago ya baba ya baba yangu… tulienda mazishi tukakaa mwezi… kurudi tukapata tulibomolewa. Kila kitu iko nje… zingine ziliibiwa… tukashindwa tutafanya nini. Nilikuja kuabudu Mungu wangu nione kama atanisaidia kwenda shule."

Ephreim then promises to help Lewis raise the funds, assuring him that he will be back in school within a week.

"Ntakusaidia baba, panguza machozi usilie," Ephreim says.

"Ntashukuru sana nikienda shule… na Mungu atambariki… hivyo tu ndio naweza mwambia… ata ile kidogo," Lewis responds.

Once the video was uploaded on TikTok, Eric Omondi took an interest in Lewis' story, urging Kenyans to help him locate the boy.

"Please help me locate this boy… if you know him, DM me or comment with his parents' number," Omondi posted on his official Instagram account on October 10, 2024.

In a later post, Omondi confirmed that he had made contact with Lewis and his family.

"Hey guys, tumepata our boy. Leo tunamrudisha shule. It’s a very sad story. This family has been reduced to squatters; they are literally homeless. Wamejenga nyumba kwa kichaka… no water… no electricity," Omondi shared.

"The father had a butchery in Chokaa but walibomolewa. Team sisi kwa sisi, let’s change their story forever. Send whatever you can to the mother's number… 0717570851… Mary Mwanda."

Later in the day, Omondi, in another post with Lewis and his family, revealed that over Ksh. 1 million had been raised for the boy.

"Team sisi kwa sisi… Nyinyi ni wale watu! Tumefika 1 million. Simu ya mama imejaa. Mtoto nimempeleka shule Naivasha Kimuri High, tukalipa 4 years.

"Tuendelee kutumia baba yake on 0790420315… George Julius. Nataka anunue land, ajenge, na afungue biashara," Omondi added.