Githeriman: My pictures on a trolley taken in a comedy set

Martin Kimotho, popularly known as Githeriman, has rubbished claims that viral pictures showing him dead-drunk on a trolley symbolised his harsh struggle with alcohol addiction.

Speaking to K24 Digital recently, Githeriman, who lives in Kayole-Nairobi, said he was putting his acting skills into practice, when someone photographed him.

“I did not do anything wrong. If anything, it was me who asked to be put on a trolley. I am a comedian, and I wanted to entertain my people by pretending that I am a wealthy man being ‘chauffeured around’,” said Githeriman.

The 43-year-old man, however, admitted to plunging into excessive alcohol use after some of the business owners and corporates, who had pledged to help him financially, reneged on their promises.

-Neglected-

“I have been knocking on the doors of people, who promised to help me. However, they often tell me that they are not in a position to assist. What do you expect me to do when that is the case?” said Githeriman, who, after his rise to fame during the August 8, 2017 general election, received among other goodies, product endorsement deals, vacation trip offers and a parcel of land in Ngong.

The father-of-one’s frustrations were explained further by his two friends, who revealed that Githeriman’s problems with alcohol began when “he got a bigger name than he could handle”.

-Friends speak out-

Robert Ng’ang’a, who is Githeriman’s neighbour and friend, said: “After the 2017 polls, Githeriman got a really big name – he was, arguably, one of the most famous people at that time. Many companies were interested in him. Everyone wanted to associate with him. But, the problem was: all this fame and excitement around him did not translate to money. The little he got, he wasn’t advised on how to use it. And, so, he fell deeper into the abyss of alcohol consumption.”

Joseph Kairo, another of Githeriman’s pal, said: “After companies and prominent people left him on his own, he sought refuge in alcohol.”

Githeriman, who was admitted to Mama Care Rehabilitation Centre in Kiambu for alcohol addiction in June 2018, graduated from the facility alongside 76 others in December that year. President Uhuru Kenyatta graced the ceremony.

-Rise to fame-

In August 8, 2017 Kimotho was photographed while on the queue carrying a plastic bag containing githeri – a mixture of boiled maize and beans; a meal consumed widely in Kenyan households.

The picture went extremely viral, landing Githeriman a couple of goodies, which, he says, have since been depleted.

(Additional reporting by John Githuku)