Mourners packed the rolling hills of Nyamweru, Lari, on Wednesday, ready to celebrate comedian KK Mwenyewe’s short, bright life. They left talking about a furious standoff with State House insider Dennis Itumbi instead.
Itumbi walked to the podium promising goodies for Kenya’s creators. “We have also scrapped the DST tax. We’ll help you form a sacco so that content creators have money in their pockets,” he declared.
“Uongo!” a young man yelled. Another group answered with the taunt “Wantam! Wantam!”
Itumbi tried to power through. “You can shout all you want, but these content creators need money,” he shot back, before retreating to lukewarm applause.
Minutes earlier, a projector had played one of KK’s final TikTok sketches – a satirical jab at politicians who only cut cheques after tragedy strikes. The timing felt pointed: President William Ruto, via Itumbi, had donated KSh 1 million for funeral costs.
KK, born Zacharia Kariuki, rocketed to fame by parodying Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s gravelly drawl. He died on July 15 at 23, after a sudden illness. His mother, Dorcas Waithira, wept through a brief tribute: “The silence is loud with your absence and voice.”
Itumbi reminded the crowd that influencers Jay Kafengo and others would “receive jobs” under a new digital initiative. The audience, still sore over soaring cost of living and police brutality, wasn’t buying it.
The outburst follows a string of similar incidents; Susan Ngugi in Tharaka Nithi and other Ruto-allied figures have faced jeers since June’s Gen Z protests reignited anger over the economy and police violence.
By dusk, KK Mwenyewe lay buried beneath red Kiambu soil. The chants had faded, but the message was clear.
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Ground ni motoo🔥
‘Itumbi Ruto Must Go. Wantam’ pic.twitter.com/AAmae2iz0D
— PropesaTV (@PropesaTV) July 23, 2025
