“Hii Pesa Iliishia Wapi?” Ksh3.9M Collected For the Late Musician Tony Ndiema Goes Missing as Family Receives Only Ksh60K & Mourners Meals Ksh1.6M

The funeral committee handling the send off of late Ohangla musician Tony Ndiema has come under scrutiny after revealing how more than KSh 3.9 million raised for his burial was spent.

The committee released a detailed financial breakdown showing that a total of KSh 3,930,824 was collected from artistes, fans, politicians, leaders and other well wishers.

According to the report, artistes and fans contributed KSh 1,367,993, while politicians and other leaders gave KSh 2,095,500. An additional KSh 467,331 was raised through a Paybill account.

The committee indicated that the total expenditure stood at KSh 3,932,074, meaning the funeral arrangements ended with a deficit of KSh 1,250.

Catering took the largest portion of the funds, with KSh 1,678,403 spent on food and related services.

Other major expenses included KSh 630,500 for an A frame tent and KSh 491,337 for transport logistics.

The committee also allocated KSh 321,770 for repairs at the family home. Videography cost KSh 150,000, while KSh 140,000 went towards sound services.

Security expenses amounted to KSh 134,000, while KSh 107,964 was spent on candle lighting. A further KSh 51,000 covered morgue and postmortem expenses.

However, the figure that has attracted the most attention is the KSh 60,300 listed as family support.

The disclosure has sparked a heated discussion among Kenyans online, with some questioning why such a small amount went directly to the family after millions had been raised in support of the late musician’s final journey.

Some members of the public argued that a larger portion should have been reserved for Ndiema’s family, particularly his mother, while others acknowledged the committee for providing a breakdown of the funds.

The debate has largely centred on whether funeral fundraising should focus mainly on meeting burial expenses or whether part of the money raised should also provide meaningful financial assistance to the bereaved family.

Ndiema, whose real name was Anton Okoth Ochieng, died on June 30, 2026, following a sudden illness. He was buried on August 5 at his ancestral home in Omoche Village, Homa Bay County, after his burial was delayed by additional bereavements in the family.

The financial report has now put the spotlight on the cost of the musician’s send off and raised fresh questions about how funeral contributions are managed and distributed.