Credit: Marcos Calvo
A Kenyan woman has shared a heartbreaking account of her life struggles, revealing how she has spent years raising her daughter alone after facing rejection from family and the child’s father.
The emotional story was shared anonymously in the Facebook group Parenting Teenagers Hub for Kenyan Mum's and Dads, where members often discuss challenges related to parenting and family life.
According to the woman, her difficult journey began when she lost both parents at the age of eight. She was taken in by her uncle, who initially cared for her.
However, things changed after he got married.
She said her uncle’s wife treated her harshly, forcing her to endure a hostile environment while growing up. Despite the hardships, she stayed in the household until she completed her secondary school education.
After finishing Form Four, the situation took another turn. Her relatives allegedly decided to send her to live in the village with another uncle who had recently been released from prison after serving time for murder.
Terrified by the situation, she said she ran away the same day, fearing for her safety and unsure about what the future would hold.
With no relatives to rely on, she began working as a house help to survive. During that period, she became pregnant after a relationship with her employer’s cousin. However, when she informed him about the pregnancy, he refused to take responsibility.
Left alone, the woman said she carried the pregnancy and eventually gave birth, choosing to raise the child on her own.
Sixteen years later, she revealed that she recently contacted the man for the first time because her daughter had started asking questions about her father.
However, the response she received left her devastated.
“He admitted the child is his, but said he wants nothing to do with her,” the woman wrote in the group, describing the moment as deeply painful.
She added that the situation has left her struggling with how to explain the truth to her daughter, who now wants to know her father’s identity.
The woman also revealed that she recently attempted to reconnect with her late father’s family, hoping to rebuild ties and find some support. Instead, she said they rejected her, claiming she was not truly part of their family because her mother had already had her before marrying into the family.
Her story has sparked emotional reactions among members of the online parenting group, with many offering words of encouragement and urging her to remain strong.
Despite years of hardship and rejection, the woman said she continues to fight for her daughter and remains determined to give her the best life possible.
Reactions;
Ruth Kidmalwa: Watu kama wewe hubeba baraka fulani.you are alive for a purpose. Take your time,focus on building yourself, be strong.Tell your child the truth and teach your child to be strong and independent, tell your child its the two of you in this world......God is on the throne trust him .Everything will be ok.
Carolyne Onyango: That God that you have always been calling His name for those years is the one you are still left with and God has a reason and a purpose for you and your baby just hang on there and keep pushing and always cry to God to give you good health because God sees everything we pass through and He will never ever forsake us as so long as we call His na in truth.
Njeri Alicia: God who has sustained you since your parents left, will continue to sustain you, only believe and have faith, pray consistently to break repeated patterns, surrender to God your child and ask holy spirit to teach her.
Yvonne Paul: The bitter truth is utaishi kwa hii Dunia uzeeke mpaka uambie Mungu imetosha,,We serve the Living God, hawezi kubali mtoto wako ateseke,stand firm and work Harder,Mungu yuko...All the best.
Nancy Thiongo: It is my dear you will live to see your child grow. Secondly when you don't have a family create one. Get friendly with elderly ladies near you you can be of assistance to them in return when you need help they can help you ama join a church and become an active member wallowing in self pity won't help you. All the best.