On Sunday January 25, 2026 at Uhuru Park, a moving demonstration of Kenyan unity and compassion unfolded as hundreds gathered to support Samuel Kilonzo, better known as Sam Kitiki, the beloved barber from Mombasa who has been courageously battling cancer.
What started with an emotional plea for help on social media turned into a powerful moment of solidarity under the banner of humanity and hope.
Sam, whose craft and warm personality have earned him a wide following online and in real life, has been fighting a rare form of cancer known as gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) for nearly a year.
As the illness progressed, so did the financial burden of treatment, and slowly his once-busy barbershop saw fewer clients, making it harder to cover medical costs.
His heartfelt appeal, shared widely on social platforms, caught the attention of many, including comedian and philanthropist Eric Omondi.
Moved by Sam’s story, Eric, through his Sisi kwa Sisi initiative, immediately took action. He travelled to Mombasa to meet Sam in person, hear his struggles firsthand and publicly pledged support.
Eric’s message was clear: “Kujeni mnyolewe”, come together to support a brother in need.
He invited all Kenyans, barbers, salon workers, and well-wishers from all walks of life to gather at Uhuru Park to raise funds for Sam’s treatment and to help realise his dream of opening a barbershop that would serve vulnerable communities for free; including children with autism, people living with cancer, and those with disabilities.
The response was overwhelming. On Sunday, the park buzzed with energy and purpose as people lined up to get haircuts from volunteer barbers, contributed donations, and shared words of encouragement with Sam and his family.
Sam, who arrived in a wheelchair, was greeted with applause and support, a testament to how deeply his story touched hearts across the nation.
Most poignant was the sight of Sam standing among his supporters, seeing firsthand the impact of collective goodwill.
Many Kenyans who couldn’t physically attend still sent contributions through the Paybill number shared by organizers, proving that distance was no barrier to generosity. Messages of prayer, encouragement, and appreciation filled social media, with many praising the unity and empathy shown by strangers and friends alike.
In a world often focused on division and despair, the gathering at Uhuru Park was a shining reminder of the strength found in community. Kenyans showed that when one of their own calls for help, an entire nation can rise to answer.
