Zack Apela: TikTokers go all out as Kenyan influencer who died in US is buried in Kisumu
By Steve Ireri, July 25, 2026The Kenyan TikTok community turned out in large numbers on Saturday, July 25, 2026, as family, friends and some of the country’s most popular content creators gathered in Kisumu to honour late TikToker Zack Apela.
The TikTokers arrived in their best outfits for the emotional farewell, with many choosing carefully styled black ensembles as they joined mourners to celebrate the life of the content creator whose death in the United States had brought the online community together in grief.
Among those who attended was popular TikToker Hanna Benta, who stood out in a maroon dress, while Rachael Otuoma turned heads in a stylish black Turkish-inspired dress.
Other familiar faces from the Kenyan TikTok scene included Cindy Baibe, Collins Omondi of Omondi FM, Mali Safi, Mkamba, King Master, Nyakwar, TikToker Jennifer and Naukur TikToker Cindy, among others.
Although black was the dominant colour among many of the attendees, the TikTokers had each chosen distinctive outfits, with different designs, patterns and styles adding colour and character to the emotional occasion.
The large turnout reflected the close connection Zack had built with fellow content creators and fans during his time on the platform, with many of those who attended travelling to Kisumu to stand alongside his family during his final farewell.
Political commentator and Bunge la Mwananchi member Omosh One Hour was also among the notable personalities who attended the burial ceremony.
He was given an opportunity to address the mourners alongside the TikTokers, adding his voice to the emotional tributes delivered in honour of Zack.
The ceremony was marked by a series of emotional speeches as friends, members of the TikTok community and other mourners remembered Zack and reflected on the impact he had made during his life.
As the day progressed, the emotional farewell reached its final stage when Zack’s body, enclosed in a brown coffin, was lowered into the grave.
The burial was accompanied by emotional Dholuo dirges, with mourners singing as the final rites were conducted.
Emotional homecoming
Family members, friends and fans gathered to receive the hearse carrying his remains before accompanying it towards his ancestral home in Ahero.
The homecoming was marked by drums, dances and emotional dirges, with crowds walking alongside the hearse as it made its way through the area.
The procession brought together people from different backgrounds, including Zack’s relatives, fellow content creators and fans who had followed his work on TikTok.
The hearse eventually proceeded to St Peter’s ACK Ndori, located next to the Ahero Interchange, where mourners attended a church service as part of the funeral programme.
The body had travelled to Kisumu by road after the family announced a change to the initial arrangements, which had indicated that it would be transported by air.
According to the revised programme, Zack’s body left Nairobi at 5:00am on Friday before making the journey to Ahero.
TikTok donations
Zack’s burial came after the Kenyan TikTok community rallied around his family following his death in the United States.
During a TikTok live session on Sunday, July 12, Zack’s brother, Dr Solo, revealed that more than Ksh1 million had been raised within hours.
The fundraising attracted contributions from TikTokers and other well-wishers, with Dr Solo expressing gratitude for the support extended to the family.
He specifically highlighted a Ksh90,000 contribution from popular TikToker Nyakwar and her supporters, describing it as the largest single contribution at that point in the fundraiser.
“Yes, wow, this is amazing. First, right now, Nyakwar has sent Ksh90,000. Thank you. The total is Ksh405,545. That is the single largest contribution from Nyakwar and her team. I would like to thank all of you,” Dr Solo said.
As the fundraiser continued, Dr Solo announced that contributions from TikTok had crossed the Ksh1 million mark.
He said the overwhelming response had changed the family’s perception of the TikTok community, particularly after some people had initially questioned whether content creators on the platform would come together to support Zack’s family.
“So far from TikTok, we have received Ksh1 million, and I want to go downstairs and break the news to those people. Thank you so much. Let’s continue like that. So Zack’s body, I can say, must be brought back home,” he said.