Digital creator Dem wa FB has expressed deep sorrow after witnessing comedian Sammy Kioko break down emotionally during an interview on The Obinna Show Live.
Known for her outspoken online personality, Dem wa FB shared her distress over the visible pain her colleague displayed. Kioko’s emotional outburst has since reignited public conversations about the financial hardships many Kenyan artists endure, as well as his ongoing payment dispute with the Machakos County Government.
A widely shared image from the interview captured a vulnerable moment — Kioko, dressed in a tan suit with a dark pocket square, sat with his hand covering his mouth as he fought back tears. The photo struck a chord online, showing a man stripped of his public persona and weighed down by personal struggles.
In a heartfelt post, Dem wa FB reflected on the toll the situation has taken on Kioko, noting visible changes in his appearance. “For over three weeks, we’ve watched Sammy Kioko pour out his pain online,” she wrote. “Each day, his voice sounds heavier, his spirit dimmer.” She described his situation as one of “visible exhaustion still met with silence.”
The digital creator strongly criticised those in authority who have the power to help but remain unmoved. “What hurts most is knowing that those who can make things right choose to look away,” she said. “How long will this silence last?”
She emphasised that the matter goes beyond unpaid money — it is about “dignity, fairness, and the value of a young man’s effort.”
Kioko’s tearful appearance followed months of public appeals about his worsening financial situation, which he says stemmed from a pending payment of about KSh 19 million for a county project. The delayed funds, he revealed, left him unable to care for his sick sister who urgently needs medical treatment. As a result, he resorted to selling his prized car and shutting down his production company.
While authorities remained silent, viewers responded with compassion. During the live show, host Oga Obinna launched a fundraising drive, and fans quickly contributed over KSh 221,000 to help Kioko’s sister receive treatment — a testament to the empathy within his fan community.
In a recent statement, the Machakos County Government clarified that the tender had been awarded to a business entity and that payments were delayed due to incomplete delivery of goods. They added that Kioko had “no legal authority” to represent the firm. However, the comedian insists the work was fully completed and maintains that his sister’s urgent medical needs remain unmet.
Dem wa FB concluded her post with a passionate plea: “We cannot keep watching hardworking youth crumble under the weight of injustice while claiming to ‘support the youth.’ Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Compassion means taking action now.”
