Kenyan comedian Onjiri the Cricket has sparked fresh debate after warning that alcohol can significantly reduce a person’s value, saying that “alcohol always lowers your value by half.”

The comedian, who has openly spoken about his past struggle with alcohol addiction, shared the message as part of his ongoing efforts to encourage discipline and responsible living.
His remarks reflect lessons drawn from his personal journey of battling alcoholism for more than two decades before choosing sobriety and rebuilding his life and career.
                                     Onjiri the Commedian // Instagram
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A strong warning drawn from experience

Onjiri’s statement is rooted in his own difficult past with alcohol. In several interviews, the comedian has described how excessive drinking affected his health, career, and relationships, leaving him physically weak and emotionally drained.

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At one point, he revealed that his hands would shake so badly that he could barely hold a glass, a clear sign of the toll alcohol had taken on his body and daily routine.

“Alcohol lowers your value by half,” Onjiri said, urging people to rethink their relationship with drinking and focus on self-worth and discipline.

His message has resonated with many Kenyans who see his recovery as a powerful example of personal change and accountability.

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Two decades of addiction

Onjiri has previously shared that he struggled with alcohol for more than 20 years, starting from a young age as he built his career in comedy and entertainment.

Over time, the habit grew stronger and began to interfere with his work, relationships, and overall well-being.

Friends and colleagues repeatedly warned him about the dangers of excessive drinking. He also lost several friends to alcohol-related complications, experiences that forced him to reflect more seriously on his own situation and future in the entertainment industry.

Onjiri the Commedian // Instagram

The turning point

The comedian says the biggest turning point came when he made a promise to his son that he would stop drinking.
The promise became a personal commitment that pushed him to quit alcohol completely, relying on family support and self-discipline rather than formal rehabilitation.
He later admitted that withdrawal was extremely difficult, describing the process as physically and emotionally demanding.
Staying focused on his family and career helped him remain committed to sobriety, while gradually rebuilding his life and professional stability.
“Change is possible when you decide to take control of your life,” he said in a past interview while reflecting on his recovery journey.