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From grace to grass: Meet Kenyan celebrities who went from success to struggle
09th July, 2025 08:35 PM
In Kenya, many individuals have risen to positions of success. This includes sports heroes, actors, musicians and media personalities among others.
Most of these celebrities have fallen from grass to grass due to financial mismanagement and lack of career planning, amongst other reasons.
As such, this piece highlights how Kenyan celebrities have moved from their positions of success to struggling individuals.
Omosh
Omosh was a very famous name in Kenya in the last few years.
Kenyans know him from the Tahidi high drama series, where he played the role of a school watchman.
His case is so weird. Omosh’s fall from grace was triggered by decades of hidden alcoholism that ravaged his career, family life, and finances. Initial rehab stints helped, but recurring financial crises followed.
Today, he’s publicly rebuilding a new image: sober, working modest jobs, and leaning on faith, though public opinion remains mixed—some criticise, others support him
A well‑known actor from Tahidi High, Omosh, earned a solid living (about Ksh18,000 per episode).
However, struggles with alcohol and finances led to eviction and public pleas for help. Though fans raised funds for his house, he openly apologised and acknowledged his downturn.
George Njoroge
Once a rising comedian on the Churchill Show, Njoro faced job loss and depression during the pandemic.
He admitted attempting suicide three times before bouncing back with a new role as co-host on KTN’s Chamaa Show.
Njoro’s journey—from comedy success to financial ruin, substance abuse, and near-suicide—underscores the volatility of fame and the importance of managing income wisely.
His eventual recovery highlights the power of vulnerability, community support, and the possibility of rebuilding one’s life.
Jimwat
Famed for songs like Under 18 and Kitu Kosovo, the Genge rapper hit rough times due to alcoholism.
Rehab drained his finances, wiping out savings. Jimwat has since started rebuilding. Jimwat’s story is a powerful arc: from celebrated entertainer, through the trenches of addiction and near-death, then rebuilding and redirecting his passion toward helping others.
It’s a lesson in how early fame can spiral out of control, but also how resilience, accountability, and purpose can spark a genuine comeback, introducing music from his fresh base in Kikuyu.
Princess Jully
A 1990s Benga star, Jully invested heavily in other artists after her husband’s death in 1997.
Asked for help in return, only to be left penniless and forced to relocate to Bondo. She’s working on a comeback, having built her home through manual labour.
Princess Jully’s story is a poignant cautionary tale: remarkable talent and social impact don’t guarantee long-term security in a music industry plagued by piracy and weak artist rights.
Her fall from grace underscores the urgent need for better protections and support for Kenya’s creative icons.
Kimani Mbugua
A former TV personality who peaked on TikTok, Mbugua later suffered from bipolar disorder and escalating debts.
By late 2023, he was homeless, owing about Ksh1.7 M, and publicly appealed for Ksh200,000 to start anew.
Supporters raised over Ksh420,000 to help him recover. Kimani’s story is a powerful example of how talent and success can be derailed by untreated mental illness and addiction.
While his supporters—most notably Obinna, Sonko, and the Kenyan public—have provided crucial help, his journey reminds us that recovery from bipolar disorder is a long-term battle with ups and downs.
