A Kenyan woman has moved thousands of social media users to tears after sharing a heartbreaking childhood story about the sudden death of her father, revealing how her life was forever changed from that moment.
In a touching Facebook post, the woman narrated how her mother had left their family when she and her siblings were still very young, forcing them to grow up under the sole care of their father. According to her, their mother, who was from Kikuyu land, walked out and never returned, leaving them with only one dependable parent.
The post, written with raw emotion, describes the last conversation she had with her dad—a conversation that remains etched in her memory decades later.
“Kerubo, do the dishes and wash the clothes…”
She recalls vividly how her father asked her to wash the dishes and clean their clothes before instructing her not to wander far from home because he would return shortly.
“Kerubo uoshe izo vyombo na muanue nguo narudi na msiende kucheza mbali,” he told her.
Like any obedient daughter, she responded, “Ni sawa dad,” and did everything exactly as he had instructed. But that was the last time she ever heard from him.
She and her siblings stayed inside their small house in Limuru, waiting for their father to return, but he never came back.
The devastating news
The next day, their neighbor, noticing that the children were alone and hungry, brought them porridge. Concerned, the young girl asked the neighbor why her father had not returned. That was when she heard the most devastating news of her life.
Her neighbor gently broke the truth to her: her father had passed away, and his body would be brought home on Wednesday before being taken for burial.
At the time, she did not understand the meaning of death. Being a child, she could not fully grasp why her father would not walk through the door again.
“That time sikua najua kifo ni nini, so hakuna venye ningereact,” she wrote.
It was only during the funeral, when she saw her father’s body brought back home, that reality began to sink in. From that day until now, she confesses she has never known what really caused his death.
A life changed forever
The emotional Facebook post reveals how the loss of her father shaped her life. With her mother absent and no parental figure to guide her, she and her siblings had to navigate the harsh realities of life without the love and protection of their parents.
She described how painful it was to watch other children grow up under the care of their parents, while she had to live with the mystery of her father’s sudden death.
“From that day mpaka sasa sijawai jua what killed my dad,” she added with a broken heart emoji.
Despite the deep trauma, she ended her post by expressing hope and resilience. She noted that she continues to do her best in life because she believes her late father is proud of her, watching over her from heaven.
“I’ll continue doing my best because I know someone in heaven is proud of me😤🦚(DAD) My mum left us when we were young and she never came back ( she was from Kikuyu land) so we were living with my dad.One day my dad told me that “Kerubo uoshe izo vyombo na muanue nguo narudi na msiende kucheza mbali.” Me!.Ni sawa dad. I did everything my dad told me to do that day..Let me tell you my dear tulikaa kwa nyumba kumsubiri babangu wala hakuja .. 😔😔😢😢 Kesho yake ndo jirani akaja akatupikia uji,.nikamuuliza kwani dad hakuji😭😢she told me your dad is dead na ataletwa Wednesday apelekwe nyumbani..,that time sikua najua kifo ni Nini,.so hakuna venye ningereact..,siku ilipofika babangu aliletwa na akapelekwa nyumbani kuzikwa,. (Actually we were staying in Limuru) From that day mpaka Sasa sijawai jua what killed my dad😭😭😢💔. 💔💔😭. Continue resting in peace DAD.”
Reactions on social media
Her touching story has since attracted overwhelming sympathy and emotional reactions from social media users. Many shared comforting words, encouraging her to stay strong, while others related to her painful experience of losing a parent at a young age.
One user wrote, “This has made me cry. May your dad continue resting in peace. You are strong for surviving such a childhood.”
Another commented, “Parents are irreplaceable. I can’t imagine the pain of losing both mum and dad in that way. Be encouraged, sister.”
Others reminded her that she is a testimony of resilience, having grown up without parental support yet managing to share her story with courage.
A silent struggle faced by many
The woman’s heartbreaking experience mirrors the struggles of many children across Kenya and beyond who are forced to grow up without parents due to death, abandonment, or other family tragedies.
Child psychologists note that losing a parent at a young age can leave deep emotional scars that last a lifetime. Many children, like this woman, struggle with unanswered questions about their parent’s death, often carrying the pain well into adulthood.
The story also highlights the role neighbors and communities play in stepping in to support vulnerable children when tragedy strikes. In her case, a kind neighbor ensured she and her siblings at least had something to eat when their father did not return.
A message of hope
While her post was heartbreaking, it also carried an inspiring message of hope. By affirming that she continues to push forward in life, she reminded her followers that resilience is possible even after life-shattering losses.
Her story is a call for compassion, reminding people that behind the smiles many carry are painful stories of survival, grief, and strength.
Conclusion
The woman’s Facebook narration is a raw and painful reminder of how fragile life can be and how children often bear the heaviest burden when tragedy strikes. Her father’s last words, simple and ordinary, have become an eternal memory—the last moment before her world changed forever.
Even though she may never know what really caused her father’s death, her strength in sharing the story is proof that grief can coexist with resilience. Today, she lives to make her father proud, holding on to the belief that he rests peacefully in heaven.
