Nairobi –
It was one sharp line – funny, but painfully honest -and it lit up Kenyan social media.
“If you keep doing that M-Pesa transfer to every touching story you hear, you’ll be the next touching story.”
The quote, shared widely on Facebook by a user called Chifu, was picked up by comedian Daniel “Churchill” Ndambuki, who responded with a knowing laugh:
“Shikuku Jack 🤔😁” -a nod to the original commenter, followed by light banter that turned into a national conversation.
Suddenly, a joke had become a serious warning: are Kenyans giving too much? Are they helping themselves into poverty?
The Price of Good Intentions
M-Pesa, Kenya’s celebrated mobile money service, has made giving easier than ever. From friends in distress to strangers with hospital bills, the line between empathy and expectation has become blurry — and costly.
In the comments under Churchill’s post, thousands weighed in.
“No matter how touching their story is, never touch your savings,” warned one commenter, calling it an old Kikuyu proverb.
“I gave my aunt 30,000 shillings last year,” wrote Annita Ngigi. “She promised to pay me back. It’s 2025. She vanished.”
Others were sympathetic -even defiant.
“Nobody ever became poor because of giving,” wrote Mso Gertrude. “If the story was fake, that’s not on me. I did my part.”
“I’ve been helped by strangers before,” she added. “So when I can, I give.”
Between Laughter and Loss
Churchill’s comment might have been playful, but it hit a nerve. Known as Mwalimu King’ang’i on the radio, the veteran comedian has long used humour to spark reflection. This time, he helped turn an internet quip into a hard look at Kenya’s giving culture.
“That’s why the poor stay poor,” one user added. “They keep helping others, even when they’re struggling themselves.”
Others joked about joining the Stingy Men’s Association, a mock club that satirises men who refuse to spend money. But behind the humour was a real crisis of confidence.
“The pressure to give is everywhere,” said Brenda Wambui, a financial wellness coach based in Nairobi. “You see a post, a text, a cousin at your gate — it’s endless. But if you don’t set limits, you’ll wake up broke.”
A Cultural Tug-of-War
Generosity is deeply woven into Kenyan life. The harambee spirit – where communities rally around those in need – is both a source of pride and a financial strain.
But with inflation rising, jobs uncertain, and cost of living at a 5-year high, the once-heroic act of giving is now being questioned.
“People are burnt out,” said Dr Mary Atieno, a sociologist. “You can love your people, your church, your community -but you have to protect yourself too.”
Even those who support giving admit it’s time for boundaries.
“Help when you can,” wrote Vennsah Nancie. “But don’t break a leg in the name of giving. Even a prayer is something.”
A Viral Lesson
The post may have started with a joke, but it gave Kenyans permission to ask a hard question: when is it okay to say no?
For some, the answer is clear – give, but don’t gamble your future. For others, it’s a reminder that not all generosity needs to be financial.
And for Churchill? His post didn’t just make people laugh -it made them think. As one commenter put it:
“Lesson learned by cousins.”
