Kenyan content creator Mike Muchiri has undergone a bold rebrand, now going by the name Ziya, and has deleted all his previous comedic content from social media in what appears to be a deeply personal shift.

The transformation follows weeks of online speculation, which began after a photo of Muchiri wearing a crop top circulated online—drawing both curiosity and criticism. Despite the mixed reactions, Muchiri had earlier hinted at wanting to live in alignment with both his inner child and his envisioned future self.


Adopting the name Ziya, he marked the transition with a cryptic Instagram caption: “Ziya. What’s in a name? Watch closely.” His bio now reads, “I was someone else before. Now, I’m Ziya. And this is just the beginning,” signaling a clear break from his past persona.


The change was foreshadowed by an uncharacteristic pause in content creation, followed by a complete purge of his skits—including the widely loved Mama Maiko series—on March 13, 2025. Only three photos remain on his Instagram, one being the crop top image, and another captioned “NAFSI HURU” (Swahili for “Free Spirit”), further hinting at a rebirth in identity and purpose.

Muchiri’s sudden disappearance from comedy was met with concern and heartbreak from fans. Many speculated about the toll of online backlash, with messages expressing both sadness and support. Some feared they may never see another Mama Maiko video again.

Before this transformation, Muchiri had carved out a successful niche in the digital space, blending biomedical knowledge with humor to entertain and educate. He often spoke openly about the financial rewards of online content creation, positioning himself as a role model for young creatives.

But now, Ziya seems to be stepping into a new chapter—one less about performance and more about personal truth. In a statement following the rebrand, he reflected on a journey of healing and authenticity:

“In the end, it was never about perfection—it was about truth. About making the little one proud and the older one at peace.”

Ziya’s message points to a transformation that goes beyond content creation—a journey rooted in self-compassion, authenticity, and the courage to live life on their own terms.

Whether this signals the close of one chapter or the start of a powerful new one, one thing is certain: while Mike Muchiri may have stepped back, Ziya is boldly stepping into the spotlight.