Churchill Comedian Ben Maurice Onyango alias Othuol Othuol is set to be buried on October 25, following his demise earlier in the week.
His fellow comedians have planned to give him a decent send-off with an estimated budget of up to Ksh1 million.
In a statement, Laugh Industry's Ken Waudo stated that the funeral committee was planning a fundraiser for the comedian who died after a long struggle with tuberculosis and brain tumour.
“Plans are underway to inter his body at his ancestral home in Ndere, Alego, Siaya County scheduled for 25th October 2020 and we are looking at Othuol funeral budget ranging from Ksh 700,000 to Ksh1 million,” he stated.
As news of the fundraiser made rounds on social media, a section of Kenyans observed that people were willing to help an individual after it was late.
"He only needed Ksh 15,000 to survive but we're ready to spend Ksh1 million to bury him? The hypocrisy," one Fredrick Ombima alleged.
"Why are people so unfair during sicknesses and so generous on funerals. Those who were previously sick?" Catherine Raquel opined.
"It is sad how people sometimes can be. These same friends failed him when he needed them most," Mercy Kyande stated.
However, in a previous interview in March 2020, Othuol opened up on his diagnosis stating that his comedian friends had come to his aid when he was ill.
He thanked his mentor Daniel Ndambuki alias Churchill and the Laugh Industry for footing his bills and his fans and friends for sending him money for food.
“Some fans used to send me money on Mpesa, some would even say they had sent the money for my lunch. Churchill took me to the hospital, and I also appreciate the Laugh Industry, they paid the hospital bills," he stated at the time.
Othuol Othuol was on Monday, September 28, rushed to hospital in critical condition but according to reports, he did not receive treatment as there was an ongoing nurses’ strike at the time.
The comedian was then taken to Shalom Hospital in Athi River, Machakos County, following his long battle with a brain tumour where he was admitted.
He died on Sunday, October 11 aged 31 years.
