Fans of Ohangla music star Anton Okoth Ochieng, popularly known as Tony Ndiema, have raised questions over the financial management of his funeral funds, demanding that the burial committee account for every shilling collected for his send-off.
The controversy erupted on social media after the funeral committee, chaired by Kokomoh Victor Piny Yore, published a financial report detailing how millions of shillings were received and spent during the preparations for Ndiema’s burial.
Some fans accused the committee of financial impropriety and called for a detailed explanation of the reported expenditure of KSh3,932,074.
The strongest questions emerged after Donlink Media, a company listed in the committee’s expenditure report as having received or being allocated KSh150,000 for videography, publicly distanced itself from the transaction.
Dolphas Don, the CEO of Donlink Media, said the company was neither contracted nor engaged by the burial committee or Ndiema’s family to provide videography services.
“I have seen the budget circulating for burial of the late Anton Okoth Ochieng Muga, where I have also been tagged and claims are being made that Donlink Media was paid or was to be paid KSh150,000 for videography,” Don said.
He explained that the livestreaming of the burial was facilitated and sponsored by a friend of Donlink Media, who used personal resources to make the broadcast possible.
Don challenged the committee to clarify who was contracted for the KSh150,000 videography allocation and who received the money.
“Kindly ask the burial committee to come out clearly and explain who was contracted for the KSh150,000 videography allocation and who received or is expected to receive that money, because it was not Donlink Media,” he said.
The revelation triggered fresh debate among Ndiema’s fans, with some demanding that the committee publish supporting details for the expenditure and explain any discrepancies between the financial report and services actually provided.
Some fans have also questioned the reported KSh60,300 family support allocation, with claims circulating online that the amount was not handed to the bereaved family. The claims, however, remain allegations and have not been independently verified.
According to the financial report released by the committee, the funeral received KSh3,930,824 from various sources. Artists and fans contributed KSh1,367,993, while politicians and other leaders contributed KSh2,095,500. A further KSh467,331 was reportedly received through the Paybill account.
The committee listed its expenditure as follows:
Morgue and postmortem: KSh51,000
Transportation of coffin: KSh7,000
Hearse: KSh45,000
Sound system: KSh140,000
A-frame tent: KSh630,500
Videography: KSh150,000
TV panels: KSh55,000
Grave site: KSh59,800
Family support: KSh60,300
Candle-lighting expenses: KSh107,964
Transport logistics: KSh491,337
Catering: KSh1,678,403
Home repairs: KSh321,770
Security: KSh134,000
The report puts the total expenditure at KSh3,932,074, which is KSh1,250 more than the reported KSh3,930,824 received by the committee.
The figures have intensified calls from fans for the committee to provide receipts, payment records and clarification on disputed entries, particularly the videography allocation.
However, not all fans have condemned the committee.
Social media personality and Ndiema fan Jarunda Jaluth Mambobiad defended the committee, arguing that funeral contributions are intended to facilitate a dignified send-off rather than simply hand money to the bereaved family.
Jarunda said he contributed towards the funeral and was satisfied with how the funds were used.
“Good job, committee. Dignified send-off. The late Tony Ndiema must be very happy wherever he is,” he wrote on Facebook.
Ndiema died on June 30, 2026, following a sudden illness. He was buried on August 5, 2026, at his rural home in Omoch Village, Homa Bay County, after his burial was delayed for more than a month following additional bereavements in the family.
As the online debate continues, pressure is now mounting on the funeral committee to address the disputed expenditure and explain the apparent discrepancy between the funds received and the total amount reported as spent.
The allegations raised by fans and Donlink Media do not, by themselves, establish that any money was stolen or misappropriated. A clear response from the committee, supported by relevant financial records, would help resolve the questions surrounding the musician’s final send-off.
