How Rapper Collo Went From Ksh950K Per Month Salary to Dead Broke

Collins Majale popularly known as Colloh is known for his music as part of legendary rap group Kleptomeniax that produced multiple hit singles including Tuendelee ama Tusiendelee.

In a 2020 interview with Kiss FM, the rapper revealed how he clawed his way back from unemployment, alcoholism, millions of debt, and a strained relationship with his family.

Colloh narrated that he worked as a copywriter for a leading advertisement firm and pocketed Ksh250,000 per month as salary.

From Left: Shaffie Weru, Collins Majala alias Collo, and Adelle Onyango. |Photo| Courtesy|

To supplement his income, he pitched at least ten jingles per month to multiple clients which would, in turn, earn him an extra Ksh700,000.

At the time, he was buried deep in alcoholism unaware that his fortunes would change for the worst.

"I was a copywriter getting Ksh250,000 every month. And then, I also believed that it didn't hurt to present a jingle idea to any of the client services within whatever account at any agency, so I was a supplier.

"In a month I would write at least ten jingles for different brands and it would give me lets say, Ksh700,000 extra. Money was never the issue but I never saw that money because my spirituality wasn't lit. That money ended up in creating more debts," he stated.

One day, as they undertook a campaign project for a client, he got into an argument with his superiors and this cost him his job.

"There were people who were giving the client a raw deal at that time. I said something I shouldn't have said, or rather I said it innocently and it offended one of the bosses," Collo stated.

At the time, he owed Ksh3.5 million to a bank.

His daughter stayed home for three months for lack of school fees and his electricity was disconnected for four months for failure to par the bill.

Collo revealed that at the time, he contemplated travelling to the US to live with his mother.

Auctioneers raided his home and took his car and title deeds to some plots he had acquired.

The Bazo Kizo hitmaker revealed that his wife remained strong in prayer, and asked him to accompany her to church which led to his salvation.

"I was a really disturbed person. And it was ugly, but I thank God because we are here to tell that story," he stated.

Collo stated that getting saved transformed his life for the better, noting that during that time, people he referred to as friends abandoned him.

"I had a phone book with over 5,000 contacts that I thought I knew. I thought I knew a real estate mogul, I thought I knew so and so. My friend, know Jesus," he stated.

He prayed to God to give him one song that would change his fortunes for the better, and that is when he teamed up with choreographer Bruz Newton and together they released the hit song Bazo Kizo.

Though production of the video was held back by the lack of money, the song went on to become a massive hit, perhaps one of the leading Kenyan songs of 2016.

The song also earned him an endorsement deal with one of the world's biggest phone manufacturers as they marketed new products in Kenya.

Collo has since gone on to produce several songs.