TV personality Lilian Muli poured her heart out after listening to the troubling revelations by Nairobi Half-Life scriptwriter Charles Matathia alias Potash.
In a video post on her Instagram account on Monday, February 24, Muli confessed that the story of Potash, who was one of the scriptwriters in one of Kenya's most successful films, Nairobi Half-Life, had sparked some serious questions in her.
"This broke my heart. This is Potash...Charles Matathia, who wrote the script for Nairobi Half-Life. I watched the Nairobi Half-Life and it was fantastic. Listening to him here say "I didn't want to be famous..." it occurred to me that for many creatives fame comes with a price," she wrote.
Muli was touched by the revelation that Potash, who was on Hot 96 with Jeff Koinange and Professor Hamo on Monday, February 24, had seen his life degenerate due to psychotic depression.
Potash told Jeff and Hamo before he wrote the highly successful Nairobi Half-Life, he was an everyday Kenyan pursuing a master's degree in criminology.
His life, however, took a turn for the worst given his mental condition and drug abuse that reportedly saw him do a stint in rehab.
These sentiments prompted Muli to reflect on what she referred to as a problem facing creatives and celebrities who are not well prepared for the future in the limelight and away from it.
"Question is? Who mentors the talent in this country? Who prepares them for life in the limelight and how to transition from that fame and continue using their art in ways that continue to gratify them?
"If you are famous right now, what's your plan when the cameras shift focus from you and you are no longer considered a celeb or relevant?" she wondered.
Muli urged those who are currently in the limelight to find someone who they can trust to guide them on the right steps towards a fulfilling future even when the fame is gone.
She also urged people to come together to enable the talented scriptwriter to get back on his feet and continue with the works he had started.
"Hard Truths. Many are suffering in silence. Depression is real. Please let's join hands as Kenyans and help this talented young man recover and write another award-winning script. "Potash"...Charles Matathia it shall be well," she concluded.
