The Real Househelps of Kawangware (TRHK) star, Onyi has pleaded with Kenyans to offer him job opportunities after the crumble of his main source of income.
Onyi, who was speaking during an interview with a local content creator, stated that he had to move out of his house after the pandemic rendered him jobless.
His situation got worse and he ended up becoming homeless. The renowned actor who was a regular at the Kenya National Theatre revealed that he could hardly afford transport money from Syokimau to the CBD.
He also revealed that his colleagues in the industry were not aware of his plight adding that he went silent on most people when he lost access to any streams of income.
"I used to host wedding receptions and even birthday parties until the pandemic and these things were prohibited and now we couldn't work leave alone being on TV or at KNT.
"The situation was hard for me and I had to move out of my house and come to Katani here. I had to run away because the rent was a problem. I couldn't pay for my house and the landlord even locked the house. I know KNT guys are worried about me," Onyi stated
According to the actor, since he lost his source of income the mothers of his five children also deserted him and they want nothing to do with him. He defended himself stating that when he had the means he would support his children.
“I have two kids with my wife who moved with them to Kisii. She works there as a nurse. My other two stays with their mother in Sweden and my other child lives in the United States with the mother. We don't get along at all with my child's mother who lives in the US," he stated.
"My children love me very much because they know what I used to do for them when I was capable."
The actor lamented that the entertainment industry had been neglected by the political class and there are no strong structures to cushion actors and other artists from unexpected calamities.
"My sister helps me out from time to time. Imagine I am homeless, from hero to zero. I am not saying that to make people happy, I am telling people that you can be great and things just go south in a minute. If I knew I would have invested early enough," Onyi stated.
He admitted that he takes alcohol to enable him to sleep when he is stressed. His situation is not the sole case that has made headlines in the recent past.
An industry veteran, who had interacted with some of the stars who have struggled and spoke to Kenyans.co.ke on condition of anonymity, explained that for most of the actors, apart from the fame that the line of work attracts, the industry requires savings and investment discipline just like any other profession.
He further noted that some of the stars, who enjoyed fame and fortune at the peak, did not properly plan their finances.
For some stars who join the industry with an eye for acting and giving out quality work, their efforts are shielded by the fame that not many people can handle really well.
The media manager stated that some stars gave in to repeated free alcohol offers from stunned fans and easily found themselves hooked to alcoholism.
