Former Machachari actress Clara Wamaitha, popularly known as Cindy or Mama Stella, has opened up about her battle with alcohol addiction and how her time on the popular TV show contributed to her drinking getting out of control.
Cindy shared the details in an emotional TikTok video, reflecting on how what started as casual drinking eventually became a serious problem that affected different parts of her life.
‘It started as fun’
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According to Cindy, she initially drank socially, with alcohol being part of outings with friends.
However, things changed after she landed her role on Machachari. The popularity of the show introduced her to a different lifestyle, and her drinking gradually increased.
She explained that what had started as enjoyment eventually became something she could no longer control.
“Ulianza na starehe. Ulianza kukunywa starehe. Ikafika mahali sasa ni wewe iyo starehe inakunywa,” she said.
The actress said she eventually reached a point where she was drinking throughout the week, describing a period when she would drink from Monday to Monday.
Her addiction also affected her daily routine, with Cindy saying she would miss meals, lose sleep and neglect her responsibilities.
Addiction affected her relationships.
Cindy also spoke about the impact her drinking had on her relationships, finances and mental wellbeing.
She described addiction as an illness that can gradually take control of someone’s life before they realize how serious the problem has become.
The actress said people around her tried to point out that she had a problem, but she would become defensive whenever the issue was raised.
Cindy is now approaching four years of sobriety. She said December 9 marked an important turning point in her recovery journey.
She also encouraged families dealing with addiction to continue supporting their loved ones, saying people struggling with alcohol dependence should not simply be abandoned.
Cindy’s life after Machachari
Cindy became a familiar face on Kenyan television as Mama Stella on Machachari, where she played Stella's mother.
The show, which became one of Kenya’s popular local dramas, ran for several years before ending in 2019.
Cindy has previously spoken about other challenges in her life, including living with vitiligo after her time on the show.
In her latest video, however, she focused on her experience with alcohol and the journey that eventually led her to sobriety.
She said she plans to share more about her spiritual journey and how she managed to overcome the addiction in a follow-up video.
