In a viral video circulating on social media, popular Kenyan comedian Njugush shed light on how money laundering, locally dubbed “Wash Wash”, allegedly operates in entertainment joints across the country.
Speaking on a podcast alongside his wife and fellow content creator Celestine Ndinda, popularly known as Wakavinye, Njugush explained how expensive liquor purchases in clubs are sometimes used to clean illicit money.
The couple, known for their comedic collaborations and the successful “Through Thick and Thin” (TTNT) live comedy show, delved into the murky world of nightlife economics in Kenya.
Njugush narrated how individuals frequent clubs, order high-end bottles of liquor, and insist on receiving receipts to legitimize the transactions.
“I go to a club and invite you and your female friends. Since it’s Good Friday, you’d want a good time. Then I buy the most expensive bottle of liquor in the establishment, maybe even six more, and ask for the receipt. That way, the money is ‘washed’. Why do you think liquor costs more in clubs than in five-star hotels?” he posed.
Wakavinye chimed in, recalling a time she saw a single bottle of liquor priced at Sh60,000 in a club.
Njugush further explained that the inflated club prices are not just for show. According to him, there’s often an arrangement between the spender and the club, where part of the money is banked after subtracting the actual cost of the drink.
“What really happens is, someone buys six bottles for KSh860,000. But we all know a single bottle is worth Sh12,000. So, you pay Sh86,000 per bottle, they subtract the real cost, and the rest goes into the bank. That’s how the money enters the system,” he explained.
He added that after frequent high spending, some individuals go on to start their own entertainment joints, often putting their previous hangouts out of business.
“Clubs in Kenya make tons of money. After spending staggering amounts of cash for a while, someone ends up opening their own club, and the earlier one can’t keep up, they run it to the ground,” Njugush said.
He gave a hypothetical example to emphasize the motive behind the scheme: “If I have Sh10 million and I manage to ‘wash’ Sh5 million, I’m really okay,” he said, highlighting how appealing the system can be to those seeking to legitimize large sums of questionable money.
The video has since sparked conversations online about nightlife pricing, club culture, and the covert operations suspected to be running behind the scene.