Nicholas Kioko speaks on online pressure after deaths of young Kenyans
By Katemarthason Okudo, September 1, 2026YouTuber Nicolas Kioko has called for a more honest conversation about the pressure young people face online, following the recent deaths of several young Kenyans.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Monday, August 31, 2026, Kioko said social media had increasingly become a source of pressure for people who feel expected to appear successful even when they are struggling privately.
Kioko raises concern over social media pressure
Kioko said the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle online can leave young people comparing their lives with images that do not always reflect reality.
He noted that social media users are often expected to look happy and successful, regardless of what they may be experiencing away from the cameras. “The internet no longer feels like a safe space. People are struggling silently because they’re afraid of being judged,” Kioko said.
He also pointed to the financial difficulties facing many young people, saying some are under pressure to present a lifestyle they cannot afford.
According to Kioko, the same pressure can also affect celebrities and content creators, who may feel the need to maintain a particular image to remain accepted by their audiences.
‘We are losing too many young people’
Kioko said the conversation should also include issues such as financial struggles, failure, loneliness and mental health.
He urged people to be more open about difficulties rather than creating the impression that everything is going well. “We are losing too many young people to desperation, stress and hopelessness. It’s time we stopped pretending everything is okay,” he said.
The content creator also acknowledged that the online world can contribute to unhealthy comparisons, particularly when people measure their progress against what they see from others.
He said celebrities and influencers also have a responsibility to consider how the lifestyles they portray may affect people watching them.
Stoopid Boy’s death
Kioko’s remarks come shortly after the death of Stoopid Boy, who was best known for his hit song G Bag Na Jug, which became associated with Kenya’s growing Arbantone scene.
The artiste’s death was confirmed on Thursday, August 27, by his close friend and fellow musician Jay Classic, who shared the news from Gota City where mourners had gathered.
Jay also claimed that Stoopid Boy had died by suicide. However, the circumstances surrounding his death had not been independently established at the time of reporting.
Stoopid Boy had previously spoken publicly about struggles with alcohol and substance use and had entered a rehabilitation programme in 2025. He later discussed the challenges he faced after leaving rehabilitation, including feelings of isolation and difficulties adjusting to life after treatment.
A call for honest conversations
For Kioko, the recent losses should encourage young people, families and those working in the entertainment industry to speak more openly about the challenges people face.
He called for conversations around failure, money, loneliness and mental health to become normal, rather than issues people feel they have to hide. “Let’s normalise being honest. Let’s talk about financial struggles, failure, loneliness, mental health and the realities behind the screens,” he said.