Following days of social media accusations that he inadvertently caused the death of former Gengetone and Mugithi artiste Shalkido, media personality Oga Obinna has suspended all personal one-on-one assistance to individuals seeking help.
In a statement from his management on Thursday, Obinna stated that the decision followed rampant accusations by online bloggers, who he said were using the tragedy to attract engagement.
“This decision follows persistent defamation by online bloggers and social media users who have weaponised acts of kindness for views, likes, and engagement,” Obinna stated.
“What began as genuine efforts to uplift those in need has been met with fabricated stories, malicious trolling, and profound ingratitude that seeks to destroy rather than appreciate.”
Popular Gengetone artist Shalkido (left) with Oga Obinna (right) after Shalkido’s appearance on Oga Obinna live
In the explosive statement, Obinna insisted that his withdrawal from helping people, one-on-one, was not the end of his charity that his brand has grown synonymous with.
As such, he relayed that three of his initiatives would continue, including Obinna TV Studios’ CSR programmes, which would go on as scheduled.
Obinna TV Foundation, which he said is his only channel for structured charitable work, would also continue, as well as business and professional interactions.
Going forward, however, the YouTuber insisted that all personal, direct assistance to individuals would cease, including responses to unsolicited requests for help and any other one-on-one charitable interventions outside the foundation.
As for the accusations brought on by the various publications, he declared that Obinna said he is preparing a defamation lawsuit against those spreading what he termed as ‘defamatory remarks’.
“Individuals, bloggers, and content creators publishing unwarranted, unverified, or defamatory remarks will face legal action. We have tolerated baseless accusations long enough. Documentation is underway, and accountability will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law.”
Shalkido passed away on Monday, following an accident on Sunday after parting ways with the media personality to head home following an event in Thika. Obinna was also the first person to report on the accident.
A section of Kenyans had torn apart Obinna on social media, questioning why he had let him use his motorbike instead of giving him a lift in his car.
Shalkido and comedian Eric Omondi.
The accident came just months after Obinna hosted him on his popular YouTube show, where he shared his financial woes, attracting Kenyans of goodwill, led by media personality Eric Omondi’s initiative*, Sisi Kwa Sisi,* to purchase him a motorbike.
The former Sailors Gang band member had sought to use the motorbike for a boda boda business, but his life would be cut short by the same motorbike just a month later.
