Seventeen-year-old Kaluma Boy, the TikToker who captured national attention with heartwarming videos of him caring for his ailing father, has received a full scholarship to pursue higher education at The East African University.
The announcement was made by Bishop Ben Kamau, popularly known as Muthee Kiengei, during a vibrant Thanksgiving service at JCM Church in Ruiru on Sunday.
Kiengei revealed that the teenager would enroll in a Sales and Marketing program with a focus on digital marketing, a field that perfectly aligns with the social media skills that made him a household name.
“I want to announce that Kaluma Boy will be joining the university,” said Kiengei to thunderous applause from the congregation. “Dr. Christopher Mutembei, the Vice Chancellor of the East African University, has confirmed that Kaluma Boy has been granted a full scholarship.”
The Power of Kindness and Community
The scholarship marks a major turning point in the life of the young TikToker, whose videos documenting his humble life in Othaya, Nyeri, inspired millions.
Kaluma’s simple clips — from doing farm chores to nursing his father — struck a deep emotional chord with Kenyans, prompting thousands of well-wishers to rally behind him.
Just a week before the Thanksgiving service, TikTokers, Nduthi Culture members, and other supporters had organized a massive visit to Kaluma’s home.
The event, coordinated through TikTok Lives and comment threads, showcased the extraordinary impact of Kenya’s growing online philanthropic culture.
During the Sunday service, Kiengei emphasized that while the church helped secure the scholarship, it had not handled any of the funds contributed to the family.
“Our role was to ensure this boy’s future takes a new direction,” he explained, reiterating that the goal was to channel public goodwill into meaningful, long-term change.
Hope Beyond One Story
In a gesture that underscored his ongoing commitment to community service, Kiengei offered his ambulance to transport Kaluma’s father safely to Ruiru for the Thanksgiving ceremony.
He later pledged the same ambulance to a hospital project being initiated by TikTokers — a response to the dire state of public health facilities in Kenya.
But the generosity did not stop there. The TikTok community is now turning its attention to another case — that of Mama Gift, a TikToker whose child urgently needs treatment in India.
Kiengei promised to lead the service during the upcoming visit to her home in Embu and ensure that the family departs for India before Wednesday.
Kaluma’s story has become more than a viral moment — it’s a reminder of the transformative power of digital communities.
From online empathy to real-world action, Kenyans have once again demonstrated that collective kindness can change lives.