Eric Omondi Comes To Aid Of Former Daily Nation Journalist Nasibo Kabale

Celebrated comedian Eric Omondi, who is also a self-proclaimed activist and philanthropist, intervened in the case of former Nation Media Group (NMG) health journalist Nasibo Kabale after a 12-minute clip of her living on the streets went viral.

Omondi in a short video revealed on Friday, September 13 that he had visited Nasibo’s mother’s home in Jamhuri, Nairobi for a fact-finding mission after Kabale's situation shocked Kenyans and some media circles.

He confirmed that the renowned scribe had already been evacuated from the streets and received the necessary help and that she had been moved to a health facility in Nairobi and booked to undergo rehabilitation.

"I came to their house and spoke to her mother and as I'm speaking to you, Nasibo is okay, she has been flown to a rehabilitation centre with the help of the brother," Omondi revealed.

Update..we visited Nasibo Kabale’s home in Jamhuri estate today …she was flown out for rehab by her brother this morning.The mother says she will be okay and has requested for your prayers ????????#SisiKwaSisi #ChangingAlifeAtAtime pic.twitter.com/Egh9ClEN4o — ERIC OMONDI (@ericomondi_) September 13, 2024

"She will be okay but we needed to know that because when we saw the video, people said this and that but the mother is a very wonderful mother like all our mothers and had explained to me the situation, what Nasibo is going through and she will come out of it."

Omondi also confirmed that Nasibo's daughter is in school and dismissed claims that Nasibo was homeless, urging Kenyans to exercise sensitivity on the matter and to keep her and her family in their prayers.

"She has already been checked in at the rehab and it is just a video that trended but she is okay. She is not homeless, she had a home," clarified Nasibo's mother who echoed Omondi's sentiments.

The visit came hours after the clip went viral in which Nasibo, known for her impactful reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic and had been a health journalist for more than five years, showcased her shack in the streets as she appeared raggedly dressed with unkempt hair and holding a knife which she claimed she used in mitigating any potential threats and hazards.

She narrated her milestones in journalism, including being the recipient of the Presidential Order of Service, Uzalendo Awards during Madaraka Day celebrations at State House, Nairobi by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on June 1, 2020.

Nasibo however found herself gripping a difficult situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a traumatic experience that became even worse when NMG embarked on trimming down its workforce as the pandemic caused serious damage to the country's economy.

This, coupled with a climbing death toll with the virus devastating the general populace, led to her being diagnosed with depression. Upon realising that her health was deteriorating, she quit NMG.

"In 2020, I was given a Presidential Award, so when they fired people, I was among the five people who remained at Nation.

"So that job started disturbing me, seeing people dying during COVID-19. I was diagnosed with depression. There was a time in the office I felt like dying and was taken to Chiromo Hospital, and that's when they started giving me anti-depressants," she said. 

Nasibo revealed that she had been surviving on jobs like collecting nails and trash from people's homes to earn a living.

"It will take me three months to get back to my life. And I can stay one month without substance. I just want to work and provide for my baby. I am a good writer, and I can do that," she added.