Millicent Ayuwa, widely recognized as Dem wa Facebook, has embarked on a remarkable journey to fame characterized by resilience and unwavering determination.
Her formative years were spent in Trans Nzoia, where she discovered her passion for football at the tender age of nine.
Dem Wa Facebook earned a scholarship to Brenda Girls High School in Bungoma County, where she further developed her football abilities.
Her exceptional talent did not go unnoticed, leading to her recruitment by the KWPL team Trans Nzoia Falcons, where she assumed the role of team captain and guided the team to triumph in the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament in 2018.
In 2016, Dem Wa Facebook transitioned to West Pokot Girls, and upon completing her high school education three years later, she encountered a significant obstacle in her football career, as financial constraints hindered her ability to continue playing.
“As a young girl I loved football, and I started playing when I was in Class Six. I played for Kenya Women’s Premier League team Trans-Nzoia Falcons for five years
“I come from a very poor background. My mother used to work in farms or sell vegetables while my dad sold building bricks,” she said.
Dem Wa Facebook’s shift from football to comedy came as a surprise.
While she was a player for Bungoma Queens, her friends motivated her to tap into her comedic abilities.
A fortuitous meeting with a local comedian in Bungoma resulted in her debut performance, and before long, Dem Wa Facebook was captivating audiences with her humor on stage.
It wasn’t long after that she auditioned for the well-known comedy program, Churchill Live, where she adopted the stage name “Dem Wa Facebook.”
The 23-year-old’s relatable humor and distinctive persona rapidly attracted a growing fan base.
“People started calling me Dem Wa Facebook after the Churchill show, and it stuck
“When I came to Nairobi, I worked with various comedians who held my hand. I used to earn between Ksh 5,000 and Ksh 2,000 from other shows until I performed at Churchill,” she said.
Millicent acknowledges that her path to success has not been devoid of obstacles.
She has encountered various difficulties, ranging from online harassment to financial struggles, necessitating her adaptation to the demands of her newfound prominence while remaining grounded in her modest origins.
A particularly notable challenge for Millicent has been the pressure to project an image of affluence and achievement, despite still navigating the complexities of establishing her footing.
“Most of the time your pockets don’t align with your brand yet people expect you to be living a luxurious life just because you’re famous. They don’t see the struggles behind the scenes,” she stated.
Millicent, undeterred by challenges, continues to stay grounded and dedicated to supporting her family.
“I made my first million in 2024 after saving for years,” she says.
One of her most significant accomplishments is the construction of a three-bedroom home for her parents.
“As women, we will always go back to our parents. My home was not something I was proud of. I wanted to make sure my family had a home they could be proud of,” she says.
