Comedian Eric Omondi has spearheaded efforts to raise over Ksh. 1 million to support a Kenyan student who went viral after appearing in a TikTok video, where he was seen praying for help to clear his Ksh. 32,000 school fees balance.
In the video, Lewis, a Form One student at Kimuri High School in Naivasha, is seen tearfully praying before a portrait of Christ in a church in Machakos County. The cameraman, @Ephreim Bazuu, approaches him to understand his plight.
“Niaje Lewis, uko aje? Mbona unakaa kama uko na stress?” Ephreim asks.
“Niko poa; niko na stress… sijaenda shule term mbili… nimekuja kutafuta Yesu nione kama atanisaidia kwenda shule kwa sababu sipati sponsors. Siko shule kwa sababu ya school fees… 32k na sina… nashindwa ntafanya nini,” Lewis tearfully responds.
During their conversation, Lewis explains that his parents lost everything after being evicted and their home was demolished for being built on riparian land.
“Wazazi wako nyumbani; hawana uwezo. Mahali tulikuwa tulibomolewa… tulikuwa tunaishi Chokaa tukabomolewa… walisema tulikuwa kwa mto,” he says.
“Tulikuwa tumeenda mazishi ushago ya baba ya baba yangu… tulienda mazishi tukakaa mwezi… kurudi tukapata tulibomolewa. Kila kitu iko nje… zingine ziliibiwa… tukashindwa tutafanya nini. Nilikuja kuabudu Mungu wangu nione kama atanisaidia kwenda shule.”
Ephreim then promises to help Lewis raise the funds, assuring him that he’ll be back in school within a week.
“Ntakusaidia baba, panguza machozi usilie,” Ephreim says.
“Ntashukuru sana nikienda shule… na Mungu atambariki… hivyo tu ndio naweza mwambia… ata ile kidogo,” Lewis responds.
After the video was posted on TikTok, Eric Omondi took notice of Lewis’ story and called on Kenyans to help locate the boy.
“Please help me locate this boy… if you know him, DM me or comment with his parents’ number,” Omondi posted on Instagram on October 10, 2024.
In a later post, Omondi confirmed that he had connected with Lewis and his family.
“Hey guys, tumepata our boy. Leo tunamrudisha shule. It’s a very sad story. This family has been reduced to squatters; they are literally homeless. Wamejenga nyumba kwa kichaka… no water… no electricity,” Omondi shared.
“The father had a butchery in Chokaa but walibomolewa. Team sisi kwa sisi, let’s change their story forever. Send whatever you can to the mother’s number… 0717570851… Mary Mwanda.”
Later, Omondi posted another update with Lewis and his family, revealing that over Ksh. 1 million had been raised for the boy.
“Team sisi kwa sisi… Nyinyi ni wale watu! Tumefika 1 million. Simu ya mama imejaa. Mtoto nimempeleka shule Naivasha Kimuri High, tukalipa 4 years. Tuendelee kutumia baba yake on 0790420315… George Julius. Nataka anunue land, ajenge, na afungue biashara,” Omondi added.
