This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
On November 7, 2019, the comedy fraternity was rocked by the news of Njenga Mswahili's death in Ndonyo Market, Dagoretti South, after reportedly being hit by a train.
Eric Omondi, the recently crowned African King of Comedy 2019, has spoken about his acquaintance with Mswahili, who had been battling depression for nearly three years.
According to Omondi, he first met Mswahili at Carnivore, where he was impressed by the comedian's unique delivery and flowery Swahili.
However, Omondi revealed that Mswahili had been struggling with depression for three years, during which he tried to get help and spoke to Omondi on two or three occasions.
"I chipped in a little," Omondi said, recalling his efforts to support Mswahili.
On one occasion, Mswahili told Omondi that he had started preaching, but Omondi later discovered that Mswahili was still struggling with depression.
"When I later bumped into him, it hit me that he was battling depression," Omondi said, adding that many people knew about Mswahili's struggles but failed to take notice.
Omondi also expressed regret for assuming that Mswahili would pull through, saying that he was partly to blame for not taking his friend's struggles seriously.
"This has hit closer home for me," Omondi said, reflecting on the loss of his friend.
He also spoke about the risks of depression faced by public figures in Kenya, citing his own experience of being famous but broke.
"If you are a public figure with no steady income, chances are high that you will sink into depression," Omondi said, emphasizing the need for mentorship and support.
