‘GROWING UP I LOOKED AT MY MOTHER AS A PART TIME VISITOR’ NANA OWITI TALKS ABOUT HER CHILDHOOD

TV host Nana Owiti has opened up about her difficult childhood. The mother of two took to her social media account and talked about how she mended her relationship with her mother before she passed away. 

“You know, I’m so glad I lived my life how I lived it coz ain’t never a better teacher than experience. I grew up in the village, normal childhood but it wasn’t really extraordinary only city people find it as such. You see, our neighbours lived somewhat the same kind of life. It was chaos that we normalised. When we would close school, I would travel to Nairobi to see my mother or travel to Kitui/Thika.

My Aunty’s place. I feel weird calling her that here because I don’t ever remember calling her any names but ‘Mama’. I don’t know why honestly because it’s not like she had any kids back in the day, My Grandma was long gone, I was the first grandchild, basically no one had the title ‘mama’. Only my aunt who I christened I just think because growing up she was the symbol of bravery/nurturer/a mom. The closest thing to a mom was my Grandfather Nzomo wa Kitonde.

My Mother was a cop and as fate would have it. They weren’t even allowed to have kids. She had me when she was in high school and went back to school soon after. So yeah! I didn’t breastfeed. My life is a movie, growing up I looked at my mother as a part time visitor with a money bag. Matter of fact, I never called my mother ‘Mom’ until I was in class 6. I had replayed that scenario so many times in my head. Each day I thought that would be the day to call her that precious name. My mouth failed me until one day.”

After relocating to Nairobi, Nana made up with her mother and even became best friends, “Mommy and I made up. We never spoke about it. Actions took centre stage. Started introducing me to her new friends and any acquaintance as her daughter even though most never believed it because she looked like my big sister. We went for salon dates together. Took fast strolls together. She was 6’0” feet tall so she had really long legs and was never one to walk slow. Imagine her steps and mine’s at class 6? I was running. I think Ni ukarao tu anyway, we talked-everything else but what happened. Kept her promise of getting me a bike after I scored 400 marks and above. I got 401.

Anyway, I was super happy and preoccupied. I finally let it go eventually. She earned her mommy title. She not only got that but she also earned another stripe. She became my best friend.Until she got sick. I was a teen. My sister was barely 10. She first suffered a stroke. From her left hand all the way to the left side of her face. She couldn’t feel anything on that side. Affected her speech too. She died without saying a word. In my hands! My body shut! Moral of the lesson, I know so many people have strained relationships with their parents but there’s something called forgiveness. I wish the same for you.”