‘I Lost My Light’: Nyaboke Moraa’s Tribute to Her Late Daughter Leaves Kenyans in Tears

Veteran Kenyan content creator and actress Nyaboke Moraa has marked her late daughter Marrie Achieng’s birthday with a deeply emotional tribute, sharing throwback moments that have touched many online.

Nyaboke posted a video from Marrie’s 18th birthday, captured before her untimely death, showing the young woman being surprised by hotel staff as they sang for her.

In the clip, Marrie appears shy but amused, laughing as she looks at the cake placed in front of her, while her mother watches on lovingly and reassures her of how deeply she is loved.

Nyaboke recalled that her daughter had initially expressed discomfort with public birthday celebrations. “Before they sang for her, she told me, ‘Mum, I hate these singing things in restaurants, they’re so embarrassing,’” she shared, adding that she still went ahead with the surprise as a heartfelt gesture.

A Mother’s Painful Birthday Message

In a separate Instagram post, the actress shared a collage of photos from happier moments she spent with Marrie before her passing.

The accompanying caption laid bare the depth of her grief as she marked what would have been her daughter’s 21st birthday.

“Happy 21st birthday in heaven, my child. It hurts me every single day. I cry every day. My life completely changed the moment you took your last breath. I lost my light, my shine,” Nyaboke wrote.

She went on to question whether she would ever smile genuinely again or experience uninterrupted sleep, ending the message with a raw admission of how profoundly death had altered her life.

‘Death Is Ghetto’: Grief That Has Not Eased

In late October, Nyaboke once again shared a poignant reflection to mark 15 months since Marrie’s passing. In an Instagram story, she described the date as one that still physically and emotionally unsettles her.

“Fifteen months on, an eternity to go. A date that gives me shivers. My stomach and womb hurt to the core. Oh my… death is ghetto,” she wrote.

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The message resonated with many, highlighting how grief does not follow a timeline and often resurfaces in waves long after the initial loss.

The Tragic Loss That Shook Many

News of Marrie Achieng’s death broke on July 28, 2024, when actress Sandra Dacha announced the tragedy on social media, calling for prayers and support for Nyaboke during the devastating moment.

The cause of death has never been made public, with Nyaboke choosing to grieve largely away from the spotlight, only occasionally offering glimpses into her healing journey.

Adding to the family’s sorrow, Marrie’s passing came just weeks after Nyaboke lost her elder brother in June 2024 — a series of losses she described at the time as overwhelming for her family.

Remembering Marrie

Marrie Blak Aende was Nyaboke Moraa’s firstborn and, by her own account, her closest companion. The actress often spoke of her daughter as her greatest source of strength and joy — a bond that continues to live on through memories, tributes, and the love she openly shares with her audience.