Eric Omondi's fight to save former manager from addiction, homelessness

Comedian and philanthropist Eric Omondi has taken on a deeply personal battle, helping his former manager, Eric Isindu, rebuild his life after years of struggle with addiction and mental health issues.

In an emotional social media post, Omondi revealed that Isindu, who managed his logistics between 2011 and 2017, has fallen into despair, facing homelessness, personal loss, and substance dependency. 

He called on society to confront the silent battles men face, highlighting how easily lives can unravel when mental health is ignored.

“Men suffer in silence. But if men are the heads of families and leaders of society, we must start having these conversations; otherwise, we will live in a broken society. Isindu is not okay. Life has been unkind to him, from marital struggles to shattered dreams and losing his mother, the only family he had left,” Omondi wrote.

However, Omondi admitted that getting Isindu into rehab is proving difficult, as he has yet to fully accept the need for help.

“In just one night, I watched him lose his mind three times simply because we denied him access to substances. Isindu will be okay. We will fight for him, and we will fight with him. He will win because there is no other option. His son needs him. His wife needs him. We need him,” Omondi stated with determination.

The post quickly gained traction, sparking an outpouring of support from Kenyans who resonated with the issue of men’s mental health struggles.

One user, Fredah Gechu, shared her tragic experience, revealing how mental health battles had claimed the lives of her two older brothers.

“In 2018 and 2023, I lost my two elder brothers to marriage-related depression. My sister and I noticed their excessive drinking and tried to intervene, but they shut us out. Both were later found dead in their sleep.”

Another user, Angel Blackbeauty, praised Omondi’s intervention, stressing the urgency of addressing the crisis facing men in society.

“Eric Omondi, may the seeds you continue to plant grow and bear fruit. The issue of the boy child and mental health is long overdue. Let’s not allow toxic feminism and the misinterpretation of gender equality to be the downfall of the Kenyan boy child.”