This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
On July 8, 2020, comedians Jalang'o and Zainabu Zeddy shed light on the harsh realities faced by unemployed Churchill Show comedians. According to Zeddy, many young and upcoming comedians struggle to maintain a 'Instagram life' that is often fake and unaffordable.
Jalang'o concurred, stating that the pressure to keep up appearances can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. He noted that comedians are often expected to change their lifestyle immediately after a few shows, despite their income being unsustainable.
Zeddy revealed that comedians Sleepy David, Wa Kimani, and Njoro are among those struggling in silence. Sleepy David, in particular, is afraid to speak up about his situation, despite being unemployed and struggling to make ends meet.
Wa Kimani and Njoro's struggles are even more dire, with Zeddy alleging that one of them considered selling his kidney to survive. The comedians' silence is a testament to the stigma surrounding poverty in the creative industry.
