Most celebs who end up broke usually get carried away with lavish lifestyles and find their bank accounts empty and their lives in chaos.
Some celebrities make bad investments, squander their fortunes on things that would not make sense to many people, and sometimes try to live beyond their means, surging them into debt.
However, most celebs included in this list blame their misfortunes on Covid-19, curtains coming down on popular TV shows they used to feature in and some even claim witchcraft is the cause of their poverty.
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Manzi Wa Kibera among broke celebs
Manzi Wa Kibera ultimately opened up about her financial struggles during an interview with YouTuber Nicholas Kioko in January 2022.
The socialite revealed that she was flat broke and couldn’t even afford to pay Ksh2,500 rent for her mud house located in Ayany area, Kibera.
“I am not ashamed, at first I did not even want people to know where I stay… I wasn’t confident. At first when I showed people my house… I did not expect them to contribute money to me. Right now I am used to it, anyone can visit me,” Manzi was Kibera said amid tears.
She added that:
“If someone can help me then it is ok. But I wouldn’t want to stress myself with rent in a one-bedroom house. Sometimes I cannot afford the 2,500 how will I go to a 5,000 bob house? People were abusing me online, saying I pretend yet I live in the ghetto. I would love to leave this house.”
Manzi Wa Kibera said that she survived on money generous fans sent her when she announced on social media that she was flat broke and didn’t even have food to eat.
However, the socialite still finds ways to slay in costly wigs or cheap ones that are made in the ghetto even though she is living in penury.
Machachari twins
Machachari twins Muthuri and Muthure are flat broke. The duo was reduced to living life in hardship after Citizen TV pulled the plug on the Machachari show in 2019.
Speaking during an interview with YouTuber Mungai Eve in March 2022, the twins said they had no savings because their earnings from Machachari supported their family.
The duo was hit hard when the show was cancelled.
“Our mother was sick and could not work. The money paid fees for us and our sister, rent, catered for food among other bills,” they said.
The twins joined Machachari in 2012 after the producers were impressed with how they performed in the auditions.
The Machachari twins, who live in Mwihoko, Githurai, also disclosed that they were surviving on menial jobs aside from being chalk boys at pool games.
The twins were planning on starting another show with their former cast-mates but the Coronavirus pandemic halted their plans.
“We are asking for financial support and any acting jobs,” the twin pleaded with well-wishers.
Consumator
Former Churchill Show comedian Consumator was reduced to being a caretaker in Ngong after a series of unfortunate events drained his money.
Consumator, whose real name is Peter Wamwea, enjoyed a period of fame and financial stability until 2019 when things took a turn for the worst.
His misery started after his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He spent all his money on his dad’s treatment.
The comedian opened up about falling from grace to grass during an interview with YouTuber Presenter Ali in April 2022.
“As the family’s breadwinner, I used all my savings on my dad’s treatment. After undergoing surgery, he has been going for checkups at least once a week. I had to sell everything I had in my house to pay for my dad’s treatment. Before all these challenges, I used to earn money from emceeing at events and could make my ends meet,” Consumator said.
Consumator is currently employed as a caretaker in Ngong by a member of his church. He does menial jobs to earn a living.
“I called several people, and only one lady from church helped me. She offered me a job as a caretaker at her compound in Ngong, where I have been staying up to now. I do vibarua (menial) jobs such as ploughing, slashing etc. as well. If I don’t get those jobs, I can’t get food but thank God I have a great neighbour who has been supporting me,” he said.
Ezekiel Apindi
Former Kiss TV Presenter Ezekiel Apindi is another celeb who is living in abject poverty.
Apindi was also a musician during his heydays. He was a Reggae/dancehall artiste and was known by his stage name ‘Mzizi Mbaya’.
The former TV presenter while speaking during an interview with YouTuber Presenter Ali in April 2022 blamed witchcraft for his woes.
Apini revealed that he worked as a presenter on Kiss TV hosting ‘Jah Rise’ show for one year before he quit the job due to enemies’ witchcraft.
The former TV presenter is currently living on the streets of Rongai and earns a living by selling arts and crafts. He insists that his enemies are still fighting with him and that their witchcraft is making him lead a miserable life.
Onyi
Former Real Househelps of Kawangware actor Onyi is another celeb living in squalor. He is wallowing in abject poverty even though he made a lot of money from his acting stint.
Onyi blamed his situation on the Covid-19 pandemic while speaking during an interview with YouTuber Shiko Gitau in March 2022.
He said that he has not been able to secure an acting gig since the dawn of Coronavirus in 2020. He was hit back by the pandemic because he used to earn a living solely from acting.
Onyi was forced to move from Umoja to Katani where he lives with his sister because he could no longer afford to pay rent.
The former Real Househelps of Kawangware actor lamented that he didn’t have any income. He said his only work at the moment was home management and street survey – staying at home and making idle rounds in the neighbourhood.
