Millicent Ayumba, widely known as Dem wa Facebook, is a comedian whose rise to fame has been nothing short of inspiring.

Her breakthrough came after appearing on the Churchill Show, but behind her laughter-filled skits lies a story of resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to success.

Recently on the Dr.Ofweneke show, she shared her journey, reflecting on the struggles of her childhood and the challenges she overcame to change her family’s destiny.

Born in hardship, rising in triumph

Born and raised in Trans Nzoia, Millicent is the second of six children in a humble family.

Her father, Pastor Albert Nabai, and mother, Jackline, raised them with strong values despite financial hardships.

As a child, she worked as a farmhand on weekends, planting and harvesting maize to earn KSh 150,a small sum they saved for Christmas outfits.

Childhood struggles

Her academic journey was filled with hurdles.

Despite excelling in primary school, she almost missed secondary education due to a lack of fees.

A football scholarship opened a door, but adjusting to boarding school was tough.

In Form Four, the school canceled football scholarships, leaving her devastated and unable to pay fees. She was even featured on Citizen TV after being sent home.

Determined not to be trapped in the cycle of poverty, she refused to stay in the village or get married young.

Instead, she joined a local football team, hoping for a breakthrough. Eventually, she became the first-ever Captain Chapa Dimba from Kenya, winning KSh 1 million sponsored by Safaricom.

Despite management deductions, each player received KSh 35,000, which she used to buy a cow for her mother to ease their struggles.

Her relentless pursuit of success led her to college in Bungoma, where she took on odd jobs, including construction work, selling fish, and even working as a security guard.

Light at the end of the tunnel

A turning point came when she saw a Churchill Show audition poster in Kakamega. With a prayer in her heart, she gave it a shot.

Encouraged by Churchill himself, she stepped onto the stage, capturing the audience with her humour.

Overnight, her TikTok followers skyrocketed, and she started getting interview requests.

However, with no money for transport to Nairobi, she relied on kind-hearted fans for accommodation.

As her brand grew, she moved through different neighborhoods, hustling to make ends meet.

Eventually, she found a manager, partnered with Oga Obinna on The Weekly Show, and cemented her place in the comedy scene.

Her greatest achievement, however, is giving back to her family. She built a KSh 4 million home for her parents and bought her father a motorbike to help him earn a living.

“I remember being trolled for how I dressed, but my focus was never on me—it was on changing my family’s life,” she said.