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The Controversial Rise of Frederick Marwa, Kenya’s Richest YouTuber

by Chief Okuzo

He’s that well-known figure from Kenya who has opted for a quieter life away from the hustle and bustle of city living. While many other celebrities thrive in the lively scenes of Nairobi, he finds solace in the tranquility of his village, which is quite a distance away from the capital. But there’s more to him than just his preference for rural living.

Some people accuse him of being involved in secret societies like Freemasonry, suggesting that his wealth comes from mysterious sources related to his frequent travels. His name? Frederick Marwa. There’s speculation that he’s harboring some significant secrets, particularly because he tends to keep a low profile in public. How could someone from a rural background afford to build grand structures and influence others to do the same?

Born in November 1990, Frederick grew up in the Kuria region near the Kenya-Tanzania border. Information about his early life is limited, but it appears that he faced the typical challenges of growing up in a struggling family in rural Kenya.

Despite his humble beginnings, Frederick proved to be a bright student, attending Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, where he earned a degree in actuarial science around 2016.

Motivated by his ambition to attain wealth, Frederick took on various odd jobs, including selling second-hand shoes at the Gikomba market for profit. He also worked as a salesman at a bank in Nairobi, earning a modest monthly salary. Dressed impeccably, he canvassed the streets of Nairobi, signing up new customers for the bank. However, he eventually lost this job, leaving him without a stable source of income.

His social media posts depict the journey of a man who has faced life’s challenges, starting as a street vendor, then transitioning to a salesperson, and finally emerging as Kenya’s highest-paid YouTuber. After losing his job, Marwa seized an employment opportunity in Colombia through a friend, despite lacking the necessary documents. He took a significant risk by selling his belongings to finance his trip.

In Colombia, Marwa worked as an English teacher while documenting his experiences in the streets through videos, which he shared with friends back in Kenya and occasionally posted on his YouTube channel. Although the earnings from these videos weren’t sufficient to sustain him, he persevered. However, tragedy struck when he lost his job and found himself homeless, with his visa revoked. With limited options, he turned to YouTube, posting videos of Colombia’s nightlife to make ends meet.

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Transitioning to a full-time YouTuber, Marwa now portrays himself as a globetrotter, having visited over 50 countries and showcasing diverse cultures on his channel. He earns his livelihood through his travels, with each journey contributing to his wealth. Through his success, he has been able to build a mansion for his mother and is currently constructing a palace in the village, a project costing over $100,000.

However, there are questions about the financial feasibility of his extensive travels. You see, whenever he shares his videos on YouTube, he earns revenue from advertisements placed within those videos. But the burning question remains: how much does he actually earn per month?

According to a reliable source close to Frederick, he earns at least 12 million shillings a month from YouTube. This substantial income can be attributed to the international viewership his videos attract, resulting in higher revenue due to Google’s RPM (Revenue Per Mille). A quick search for his YouTube channel on SocialBlade reveals that Frederick Marwa is the highest-paid YouTuber from Kenya, ranking 438th globally in the travel category. With 526k subscribers, Marwa generates almost $76,000 USD annually from YouTube, equivalent to 10 million shillings. This translates to at least $1,500 USD a week, approximately 196,000 shillings per week, and nearly 786k shillings monthly. However, it’s important to note that SocialBlade’s analysis is based on estimates, so Frederick might actually be earning more than these quoted figures.

With such substantial earnings, Marwa has constructed a luxurious palace in Nyabohanse, his village. However, this has sparked controversy among villagers, with many alleging that his wealth is associated with occultism. Marwa has disclosed that some villagers accused him of being involved in cultism, particularly Freemasonry, and even suggested that he recruited others into this alleged system.

The situation escalated to the point where the local chief called a meeting to address the rumors and clarify matters. Despite the accusations against him, Marwa remained steadfast in denying any involvement in such activities. He made it clear that he maintains faith in God and harbors no ill intentions towards Freemasons.

Interestingly, Marwa has utilized his influence to transform his village into a hub for YouTubers. He has encouraged his brother, sister, and mother to start their own channels, and they are now earning significant incomes each month. Moreover, he has inspired other villagers, like Mayuguno, to follow suit.

Despite his wealth, Marwa chooses to remain in the village with his family rather than relocate to the city like other prominent Kenyans. He enjoys spending his time amidst the serene surroundings of his lavish palace, which required considerable investment to build. He leads a modest life and avoids scandals, unlike other celebrities who flaunt their riches online. In fact, if you were to encounter him on the street, you’d never guess that he’s a billionaire. He has deliberately chosen to keep his wealth private from the public eye.

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