- "People are suffering, not able to pay rent and school fees. I therefore saw that the only way we can help each other is by coming together."
- Eric said getting to choose the cases to prioritize has also been a major challenge.
Image: ERIC OMONDI /INSTAGRAM
Kenyan Comedian Eric Omondi has spoken about his move of helping the vulnerable through his 'Sisi kwa Sisi' campaign.
Eric who was speaking on Tuesday during an interview with The Star said the campaign was inspired by the current situation in the country.
"People are suffering, not able to pay rent and school fees. I therefore saw that the only way we can help each other is by coming together," he said.
"People are sending as little as Sh1 but directly to the person in need because if they could be sending to me then it would be another issue."
Eric said by the money being sent to the victims, he avoids situations where accusations will come out that he pockets some of the cash.
He confirmed that not even a shilling from the contributions goes to him.
The comedian however noted that not everything comes easy saying despite helping Kenyans in need, he encounters a lot of challenges.
"Some of these cases are in places as far as Wajir. Even while helping with the building of the bridge in Kisii, we were stopped and they questioned us saying we were not contractors," he narrated.
He said after attending to the cases, he goes back home to his family to relax.
From handling the different cases, the comedian said most affect him mentally.
"These are things I never used to do in my life so they came abruptly and I have to handle so much. At times I just lock myself and I think experience has helped me a lot," Eric said.
"The kind of messages I receive and even pictures of children who need help. I can start my day in a happy mood but out of nowhere receive a message that will ruin it."
He however said having done this a lot, he manages to give himself therapy.
Eric said getting to choose the cases to prioritize has also been a major challenge.
He said before it was on a first come first serve basis but he realized there are serious emergencies.
Kenyans in need at times give him calls reminding him of the promise he made to help after they see him coming through for others.
"Such situations are also challenging because I may be supposed to help someone, fail to pick up their calls and the next minute they see me going live to raise money for another," he said.
He noted that it gets overwhelming since he also lacks a team or office.
"We are actually in the process of expanding, that's the best I can do, I have been working alone, looking at the cases and choosing how to attend to them," Eric said.
Being a family man, Eric said he tries to balance his time and on days that he is not working, he relaxes at home.
"During that time, I do not attend to anything except spending time with my family. Another thing is that I am trying to utilise this moment when my child is still young," he said.
"Once she starts learning how to walk and talk she will need my full attention that's why now I attend to so many other things. My wife, on the other hand, is okay with me travelling and coming back, she knows it is my work."
The Kenyan comedian said on the other hand he feels like the campaign is currently at the infant stage.
He said he is avoiding situations where he will rush in delegating the duties to somebody else.
He noted that it will still take time for him to share the dream, maybe up to two years.
"At the moment my family will have to work with me for a while because it's like we are coming up with a new house," he said.