Celebrated comedian Eric Omondi has disclosed the mental health challenges he faces while actively assisting Kenyans grappling with various difficulties.
The self-proclaimed President of Comedy has been leveraging his online platforms to raise funds for individuals dealing with illnesses, oppression, and even those experiencing food scarcity.
In an exclusive interview with Nairobi News, Eric Omondi admitted the toll his philanthropic endeavours have taken on his mental well-being, leading him to consider therapy sessions for support.
“I am afraid to open messages sent in my WhatsApp because I do not know what image will appear. There are hundreds of cases of people who want me to help them. Some send me very gross messages that end up traumatising me. I get nightmares, and my mental health is somehow affected,” he shared.
Among the distressing cases, Eric highlighted one where a person had been in the mortuary for five years, describing it as emotionally challenging and expressing his desire to shield fellow Kenyans from such painful experiences.
Acknowledging the impact on his mental health, Eric Omondi revealed that his mother checks on him daily and has advised him to seek therapy to navigate the emotional toll of his philanthropic efforts.
Using his influence for social good, Eric has initiated various fundraising campaigns, such as supporting a disabled mother harassed by Nairobi County officers and aiding a grieving mother unable to bury her son for five years.
In the latter case, Kenyans rallied together, contributing over 1.5 million to alleviate the family’s financial burden.
Despite the mental health challenges, Eric says he will remain dedicated to his mission, calling on Kenyans to unite and make a positive impact in the lives of those facing adversity.
“I will be going for therapy but I will continue to serve Kenyans. I am using my platform since Kenyans build it for me. They have been my fans since I joined comedy and this is just a way of giving back to them,” he said.
BY Elizabeth Ngigi