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When Margaret Wairimu Gatehi received a phone call from her daughter’s friend four years ago informing her that she was sick, she was deeply worried. The next minute she was on her way to Nairobi from Nakuru to check on her. 

“It was one of my worst moments in my life. I received a call from her friend that she was seriously sick. When I arrived in Nairobi, my daughter couldn’t recognise me. I was so heart broken,” she says. 

Unknown to her, her daughter, actress Emmah Njeri Wagura was going through depression after a break up with her boyfriend of one year. 

“Mum didn’t know that I was dating until the day she received a call and was told to come to Nairobi and take me home since I was sick. I had lost my memory — by the time I knew it, I was in Nakuru, I didn’t know how I got there,” recalls Emmah.

“I was in a relationship with a guy that I was fully committed to, but he wasn’t. Having been brought up by a single parent, I had too much expectations from a man. I later realised he was cheating on me and he never loved me as I did him,” she adds. 

Emmah recalls how she ignored a lot of red flags. “I gave my all to the relationship. At that time, I was working, but he was not. So, I shared all I had with him. After a few months of dating, I realised he was still talking to his ex and they were still meeting. I saw many red flags, but I ignored because I feared losing him. On August 2017, I saw photos his ex-girlfriend posted on social media. He was with her at his rural home. I called him, but he didn’t answer my calls. I called his mother and she confirmed they were together,” she shares.

Panic attack

The last nail in the coffin was when she found missed calls from his ex-girlfriend. She wanted to meet with her for a chat. “I met with her and she confirmed my fears that they were together. When I went back home, I had a panic attack. I managed to call a friend who responded immediately and came to my house. I lost consciousness and the next thing, I woke up in hospital,” Emmah says.

Emmah was rushed to St Francis Hospital in Kasarani, but was later referred to Mathari Hospital in Nairobi, before she was discharged after a few days to recuperate at home.

Wairimu took care of her daughter back at home in Nakuru. “She was on medication, which would make her sleep most of the times. After about a month and a half, her memory came back. She decided to move on with life, went back to Nairobi to start life all over again. She also attended counselling to help her heal,” she reveals. 

Additionally, Emmah started sharing her story and many men and women who had gone through heartbreak reached out to her. “I started a mentorship programme, The Unspoken with Emmah to offer platform for other people who are hurting and need healing,” she offers.

Though the actress had given up on love, she gave it a second chance. She attributes this to being born again and attending counselling session to help her heal.  “I started dating in June 2020 and we got married in November 20, 2021. I did a church wedding as I promised my mum when I was a small girl… My husband loves and supports me fully,” narrates Emmah.

Emmah’s acting career started professionally in 2013. When a film that she had acted in got nominated as the best feature film in 2013, the budding actress was happy since it was the first movie that she participated in. Her mother, too, was elated 

“At first, I didn’t want her to be an actress. But after seeing her small wins, I was proud of her. My friends kept on calling me, saying they saw my daughter on TV, and at that moment, I felt proud to be her mother,” she narrates. 

Emmah’s persistence has made her a popular face in  Kikuyu films, which feature in a local TV station. She has also played different extra roles in different series such as Selina, Mchungaji, My Two Wives, Kina, Njoro Wa Uba and Vashita in Maisha Magic East and Inspecta Mwala. 

Watching her daughter brings tears to her eyes as she recalls how difficult it was raising her four children single handedly in Huruma Estate, Nairobi.  She knew the only way to better their lives was through education. Emmah studied in Lanet Primary School, Nakuru from 2001 to 2008 and at Hillcrest High School, Nakuru from 2009 to 2012. 

“She really struggled to give us the best education she could afford.  In primary school, life was so hard — even affording a pair of shoes was a challenge. I remember people would laugh at me saying my shoes had ‘skin disease’ since they were tattered. This is why I own a lot of shoes now,” says Emmah. 

Acting passion

Thanks to her late principle, she was allowed to be in school as her mother paid the fees in bits. While Emmah was in secondary school, Wairimu noted that her daughter had a passion for drama and often mimicked TV presenters she saw on television. 

“I wanted her to concentrate on her studies. I felt it was too early for her to engage in arts and it took me quite some time before I said ‘yes’ to her doing what she loved the most; acting. I didn’t want her to struggle as I did. I wasn’t sure that acting would sustain her. I had so much fear of the unknown,” shares her mother. 

After secondary school in 2012, Emmah worked as a house help before joining Nairobi Aviation College in 2016 to pursue a diploma in journalism.  In 2019, she joined Miramar International college and pursued a certificate in hydroponics technology then in 2020, she joined Filamu Juani Academy for a certificate in Film. She just graduated recently.  In between, Emmah would go for auditions. She even landed a role in Women We Marry, a film produced by Tollywood production. 

But her rise has not been without challenges. For instance, the lack of opportunities in the film industry and the little pay can discourage someone who is in it just for money. 

“There is discrimination in the acting industry. Sometimes star actors mistreat upcoming actors. One also has to endure long working hours,” says Emmah. 

Her future plans are to own a production house and give Kenya great content. 

Wairimu advises single mothers to never give up on their children as there is always light at the end of the tunnel. 

“It was not easy at all raising four children alone doing casual jobs. But I trusted God in every step I took. To single mothers out there, don’t give up. It doesn’t matter what work you do; God will work everything for your good whenever you have a big heart for your children,” she says in ending.