Comedian Henry Desagu is going through a lot. Recently, he posted on Facebook that he is not okay. Kenyans were quick to say he is chasing clout. A day later, he was found in the middle of Thika Road talking to himself and looking lost. A good Samaritan who took him to hospital and reported about his condition.

Here is the message he posted on his Facebook page:

Friends, please let us learn to check on those in our circle.

I came across a post yesterday by Henry DeSagu where he mentioned feeling unsafe, and many may have dismissed it as just another “content-driven” post. However, he later clarified that he was safe.

This morning, at around 9:40 AM, while running errands along the Thika-Ngoingwa-Mangu Road, I witnessed a disturbing scene. A young man was walking in the middle of the road, seemingly unbothered, as vehicles honked at him. Thankfully, by God’s grace, I decided to get out of my vehicle and check on the situation. With the help of a few kind-hearted individuals, we were able to approach him—and it turned out to be none other than Henry DeSagu.

He was not in his right mind, shouting and speaking incoherently. Without hesitation, I helped him into my car and, together with others, rushed him to Level 5 Hospital. There, a compassionate psychiatrist, Dr. Catherine, attended to him.”

The comedian has been taken to hospital for treatment.

The downfall of Desagu

Henry Desagu started comedy 8 years ago. He created his YouTube channel in 2016. His growth was epic until 2020, when his channel was earning over Ksh 500,000 per month. In 2019, he was ranked among top 5 highest paid YouTubers in Kenya. He became so popular than his channel gained over 600,000 subscribers in 5 years. Desagu became comfortable, he upgraded his lifestyle and moved to a serene environment. His monthly rent was Ksh 120,000 and he was driving a Mercedes Benz. Little did he know that life is full of ups and downs.

From 2022, his earnings started dropping. All his new videos didn’t impress his subscribers. None of the videos he posted got over 1 million views. From earning Ksh 500,000 to Ksh 800,000 per month, Henry started making less than Ksh 100,000.

As if that was not enough, he lost most of his sponsorships. His Facebook page which could generate more than Ksh 500,000 monthly became dormant. Advertisers were no longer interested in his page, they had found new ways to advertise.

Henry moved from his expensive house to a small house where rent is Ksh 20,000 only. This move didn’t improve matters. Since he was struggling financially, he stopped posting on YouTube regularly. Henry became completely broke and started surviving on handouts from friends. Later, friends disappeared and he was left alone. Depression would soon set in, which drove him to the road. He screamed on Facebook for help as he went on the road to get hit by a car and leave this world.

Mistakes Henry Desagu made

Henry didn’t realize that people are not interested in his content. Had he changed the content, he’d have been relevant until now. He was rigid.

Desagu didn’t forecast his downfall. As a human being, you should understand that there are good and bad days. When days are good, prepare for bad days. During those good old days, he’d have saved money.

He didn’t diversify his sources of income. He should have invested the money instead of living in expensive neighborhood. Right now, Henry could have been comfortably living in his home and earning rental income.

He also failed to accept his fate,that he is broke and live with it.