DIGITAL CREATOR MARIBEL IRUNGU PASSES AWAY AFTER BATTLE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

The family, friends, and online community are mourning the loss of Maribel Immac Irungu, a digital creator, real estate executive, budding fashion designer, and outspoken mental health advocate, who has passed away after a long and courageous battle with Bipolar 1 Disorder.

The TikToker ended her life following a prolonged struggle with mental health challenges. Immac, as she was affectionately known, had been open about her mental health journey, which she traced back to childhood.

She attributed the onset of her struggles to being rejected by extended family members within her blended family, as well as bullying in school. Despite her bubbly personality, she carried wounds that she later transformed into advocacy.

Diagnosed with Bipolar 1 in 2018, she faced unimaginable battles, including cheating death by suicide on six separate occasions. Throughout her journey, she used her platform on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and other microblogging sites to share bold, controversial, and often viral videos documenting her mental illness, including her manic episodes andrecovery process. 

Immac was a fierce critic of the state of mental healthcare in Kenya. She spoke openly about the sorry state of psychiatric treatment, violence directed toward mental health patients by caregivers, widespread stigmatisation, workplace discrimination, and unemployment based on harmful stereotypes against those living with mental illness. 

She turned her healing process into a mission, initiating difficult but necessary conversations aimed at changing her own situation while helping countless other patients find their voice and seek help. Though her life has been cut short, Immac leaves behind a legacy of courage, honesty, and relentless advocacy.