Millicent Ayuwa, known to her fans as “Dem Wa Facebook,” has captivated audiences with her quick wit and relatable humor, becoming one of Kenya’s rising comedy stars.
The 23-year-old’s journey from a small town in Trans Nzoia to national fame has been one of perseverance and hard work.
Born in Butere but raised in Trans Nzoia, Millicent discovered her passion for football at a young age.
By the age of nine, she was already a talented player, eventually joining the Trans-Nzoia Falcons in the Kenya Women’s Premier League.
Football became her escape and her way of securing an education, helping her navigate a difficult upbringing in a low-income family.
“I come from a very poor background. My mother worked on farms, and my dad sold building bricks. Football was my ticket to school,” Dem Wa Facebook opened up in a recent interview with a local daily.
Her football skills earned her a scholarship to Brenda Girls High School in Bungoma County, where she honed her talents on the pitch.
Millicent eventually became the captain of the Trans-Nzoia Falcons and led her team to victory in the 2018 Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament.
Financial struggles
However, despite her success in football, Millicent’s financial struggles caught up with her. After high school, she faced the tough decision to quit football and focus on supporting her family.
“I wasn’t making money, and my family was depending on me to put food on the table,” she recalls.
Hoping to get her college fees paid, she joined Bungoma Queens, but when that didn’t happen, she made the difficult decision to leave football altogether.
Millicent’s path to comedy came as an unexpected twist. While playing for Bungoma Queens, friends encouraged her to try out her comedic talents.
Soon, she found herself performing for local audiences, and it wasn’t long before she landed a spot on the popular comedy show Churchill Live. That’s when “Dem Wa Facebook” was born.
“People started calling me Dem Wa Facebook after I appeared on Churchill,” she explains. The nickname stuck, and her hilarious, down-to-earth style quickly resonated with fans across the country.
Her breakthrough came in 2022 when a viral video of her humorously calling out men for telling women to have children went viral.
From there, Millicent’s career skyrocketed, and she was soon working with major brands like Raha Premium and Ratino Dreadlocks.
But despite her rising fame, Millicent says the road hasn’t been easy. Navigating fame at just 23, she’s faced pressure to appear successful while dealing with the realities of her humble beginnings.
“People expect you to live a luxurious life just because you’re famous, but they don’t see the struggles behind the scenes,” she admits. “Most of the time, your pockets don’t align with your brand.”
Breakthrough
Millicent’s hard work paid off in 2024 when she made her first million after years of saving. One of her proudest achievements is building a three-bedroom house for her parents.
“I wanted to make sure my family had a home they could be proud of,” she says. “As women, we will always go back to our parents.”
While Millicent has achieved incredible success, she remains grounded. She still lives in Eastlands, despite her growing fame, as she focuses on completing her parents’ house.
She briefly lived in Karen while being hosted by a friend but left once she could afford to pay her own rent.
Future
Looking ahead, Millicent plans to continue growing her comedy career and exploring new opportunities.
Though she never got to play for Kenya’s national women’s football team, she sees comedy as her new playing field.
“My dream was to play for the national team, but comedy has been a game-changer for me,” she says.
Millicent’s story is one of resilience and determination, and she encourages others to work hard and never give up on their dreams.
“If you have two legs, make sure you die rich,” she advises. “Use your talent, work hard, and don’t beg for anything when you’re alive.”
Related: “Umepata Pesa Ukanisahau” Man Claiming To Be Dem Wa Facebook’s Boyfriend Cries Out
