In a candid interview on the Over 1M Podcast with host Tonny Mwirigi, Kenyan radio presenter and content creator Santos Ordinaree shared a raw account of his journey through poverty.
He revealed that during his darkest moments, entrepreneur and musician Akothee stepped in to pay his rent and provide essential support.
Santos, who rose to fame as a comedian on the Churchill Show, explained that the COVID-19 pandemic brought his burgeoning career to a sudden halt. When the show stopped production, his steady income vanished. This left him unable to pay for his single room in Kayole.
Living in the Shadows
As his financial situation worsened, Santos’s landlord eventually locked his house. Fearing the stigma of returning home to his parents as a "failure," he opted for a life of secrecy. For approximately two weeks, the entertainer lived in a local social hall.
To maintain his public image, he would wait until late at night to enter the building. He spent his nights sleeping on a roof amongst stored chairs to avoid being discovered by the public.
"I was sleeping in a hall... hiding on a roof among stored chairs so people wouldn't know my situation,” he opened up.
A Life-Changing Phone Call
The turning point came when a fellow comedian, Zeddy, reached out to check on him. After Santos confessed that he was homeless and sleeping in a hall, Zeddy contacted Akothee to highlight his plight.
Akothee, who is well-known in Kenya for her philanthropic efforts through the Akothee Foundation, responded immediately. She did not just offer words of encouragement; she provided the financial stability he desperately needed.
"Akothee paid my rent for three months and provided me with food. She gave me the awareness to rewire myself,” he added.
Beyond financial aid, Akothee encouraged Santos to seek mental health support. He began attending therapy sessions at Haki Africa, which offered free mental health checkups. These sessions helped him navigate the depression that had followed his sudden loss of livelihood.
The Road to Recovery
The three months of paid rent allowed Santos to focus on his recovery. During this time, he met a lawyer named Shadrack Mboi, who further supported him with a monthly stipend of 6,500 KES. This money was specifically designated for food and, crucially, internet data.
With a stable roof over his head and the means to go online, Santos began creating the digital content that would eventually lead to a major partnership with the betting firm Odibets. This deal provided him with the financial independence to move beyond his struggling days.
Current Success
Today, Santos Ordinaree is a staple of Kenyan media. He currently serves as a radio presenter at Milele FM, hosting a popular show alongside fellow comedian MCA Tricky. Reflecting on his past, he credits his success to the "destiny connectors" who held his hand when he had nothing.
