Eric Omondi issues update after retrieving donations from woman who faked abuse story
By Steve Ireri, August 22, 2025Comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi has provided a detailed update on the controversial case involving Joyce, a woman who faked being thrown out of her home to solicit donations from well-wishers.
The saga began earlier this week when a viral video showed a distressed mother being pushed out of a house while holding a child, with another young boy trailing behind.
Outraged Kenyans called on Omondi, through his Sisi Kwa Sisi initiative, to intervene. Within hours, well-wishers had raised over Ksh1 million to help Joyce secure a home and start a business.
However, investigations led by Eric and the police revealed that Joyce’s story had been fabricated.
The man in the video was not her husband but an acquaintance enlisted to act the part, and the child belonged to a friend, deliberately used to tug at the public’s heartstrings.
Joyce and other accomplices had planned the deception, prompting Omondi to hand over the phone used to receive donations to the police for further investigations.
In a statement on Friday, August 22, 2025, Omondi revealed that the over Ksh1.2 million that had been donated was recovered.
He also thanked his Sisi Kwa Sisi team for their support and clarified how the recovered funds would now be used.
“Hi guys, Eric Omondi here. You all know what happened yesterday. I want to thank Team Sisi Kwa Sisi for always supporting the vulnerable. What happened happened, and we managed to raise over KSh 1 million on Joyce’s phone,” he said, adding that Ksh500,000 had already been withdrawn and Ksh247,000 remained pending withdrawal.
Omondi emphasised that the recovered money would be redirected to genuine cases of need.
“This money will go to Kenyans who are in dire need. There are many children in hospitals and many without food. We will ensure that this money is distributed to those who truly need it,” he said.
Addressing Joyce directly, Omondi acknowledged her personal challenges but criticised the method she used to obtain funds.
He urged her to find work to support herself and her child, emphasising that he wanted to prevent her from spending more days in custody because of her young baby.
“Our sister Joyce had genuine problems, but the way she tried to get this money was wrong. She has apologised and handed over the entire amount. I do not want her to remain in police custody any longer for the sake of her young child. I have advised her to look for work so she can support her child,” he said.
Omondi also revealed that Joyce was part of a broader scheme involving other individuals, two of whom are already in custody.
“There are people who planned this fake abuse. Two of them are already in custody, and the rest we will come for. We have evidence, including clips they tried to delete, but we have downloaded them,” he said.
He then reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Sisi Kwa Sisi funds reach those in genuine need and that future interventions are handled with strict due diligence. “We have learnt from this and will continue to ensure that help goes to genuine cases,” Omondi said.