From Kibera comedy to viral business: Heha Movers’ rise

Nairobi's Kibera neighbourhood has often been associated with poverty, crime, drugs and hardship. But a group of young creatives in the area say poverty is only part of Kibera's story. There is also power, laughter, talent, ambition, opportunity and young people determined to change the familiar Kibera stereotypes.

Heha Movers are helping tell that story one joke, one skit and one loud “Heha! Wahio!” at a time.

What started as a group of young people making comedy in Kibera has grown into a viral digital brand attracting attention far beyond the neighborhood.

Their expressionless parody sketches have amassed millions of views and interactions across platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X since they exploded in popularity.

But behind the suits, exaggerated characters and hilarious imitations of businesses is a deeper story about identity, stereotypes, community and the determination to create opportunities.

From Kibera Laugh Industry to Heha Movers

The journey began with Kibera Laugh Industry, a group of about 50 young people interested in comedy and content creation.

As the group evolved, so did its identity. That transformation eventually gave birth to Heha Movers.

Their formula is simple: take familiar Kenyan experiences, dress up in suits, act extremely serious and make the situation completely ridiculous.

They have parodied moving services, internet providers, web development, marriage counseling and other everyday businesses.

The humour works because the situations are familiar.

Whether it is negotiating with a tailor, dealing with a service provider or moving houses, Heha takes experiences many Kenyans know and gives them an unexpected twist.

Then comes the signature call

“Heha! Wahio!”

At its heart, Heha is comedy rooted in observation taking what people already know and making them laugh.

And as the videos went viral, something else began to change: how people saw the young men behind them.

Some members say they had previously been judged simply because they came from Kibera. Some social media users have even labelled them "goons".

The irony is not lost on them.

They are using comedy to challenge stereotypes about Kibera, while at the same time facing some of the very stereotypes they are trying to break.

But audiences began sharing their videos, recognizing their faces and identifying them by their talent rather than their neighborhood.

Creating a Space for Young People

Away from social media, Heha is also building a community.

The group has a hall in Kibera where young people can meet, exchange ideas, watch football, discuss their experiences and encourage one another.

It also provides a space where young creatives can share skills learning from each other while finding support and opportunities amid the economic hardships and limited opportunities many young people face.

The message is simple: bring young people together and give them something positive to build around.

Through its youth foundation, Heha hopes to connect young people from different parts of Kenya through mentorship, collaboration and content creation.

For them, going viral is not the only goal.

From Laughter to Livelihood

At the heart of Heha’s growing commercial ambitions is manager Nicki Biggish, who knows firsthand what it means to grow up with limited opportunities.

Having come from the same community, he sees not only the challenges young people face, but also the talent and potential that often goes unnoticed.

He says Heha’s content is now helping members turn their creativity into a livelihood, with some earning from their work and landing advertising endorsements.

For others, the income has become a chance to build homes, improve their lives and support their families.

What started as a way to make people laugh is slowly becoming something more—a source of income, dignity and hope, showing that creativity can open doors even where opportunities are scarce.

His vision is to help Heha move beyond simply creating viral content and develop into a sustainable platform capable of creating opportunities for its members and others.

And the creator economy is making that possible.

Today, an audience can become a business opportunity.

A viral video can attract customers, partnerships and brand deals. Recognisable characters and catchphrases can become valuable assets.

What began as parody is becoming a brand.

The Heha Movers story is ultimately about more than comedy.

It is about young people who started with an idea, built a community around it and discovered that laughter could take them further than they imagined.

They are still building the business. They are still developing their brand. And they are still learning how to turn online attention into something sustainable.

But their journey already offers a lesson: you do not always need an expensive studio, a major production company or sophisticated equipment to get noticed.

Sometimes, you need a phone, a few creative minds, a good idea and the courage to start.

And as they continue to build, one thing remains unchanged—their humour, their ambition and that unmistakable call that started it all:

“Heha! Wahio!”