Kenyan online comedian Erastus Ochieng, known as Flaqo, disclosed in a recent interview that his peak earnings during the COVID-19 pandemic reached around Sh20 million over two years through endorsement deals.
"I think it could be around Sh20 million... there’s a way to check the records," Flaqo said, emphasizing the financial success he achieved during the global health crisis. However, he expressed concerns about how the wealth impacted his creative process.
"It derailed me because people have different goals... that is not why I started in the first place," he reflected. Flaqo cited a moment of realization when a fellow artist, Breeder, reportedly prayed for financial success similar to his, highlighting the shift in his priorities.
The comedian acknowledged that increasing income diminished his enjoyment of comedy, stating, "The more the money, the less you enjoy it... it takes away the artistic value and humour." He attributed this to the pressure of aligning financial gains with his creative work.
Despite the challenges, Flaqo noted his brand created employment opportunities for young people. He also explained taking a break from social media to prioritize mental health amid fan criticism.
Flaqo has since returned with a new YouTube series, "Saturday Dosage," airing weekly on Saturdays.
