TV Presenter Emmanuel Igunza revealed numerous struggles he underwent in 2020 in a year ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Igunza who currently works for BBC spoke about being bullied at his workplace, battling anxiety, depression and having to come to terms with losing a close family member.
The seasoned journalist who previously worked for NTV as a presenter, took to social media and poured out his emotion in a lengthy post.
"The last 1 year has been a terrible one for me - like most people.. I had to deal with Covid-19 related anxiety plus work place bullying and depression that literally hijacked my soul," read part of his post.
He went into detail on how he retreated from his normal life and had to stay indoors for weeks due to anxiety and paranoia.
"For days I literally couldn’t function. I had to drag myself through the day - with a fake smile and all. I basically switched off from news, it was too depressing, scary," he stated.
Igunza also recalled receiving a Covid-19 scare after suspecting that he had contracted the deadly virus. Having spent most of his time covering Covid-19 patients, and seeing the extent of the damage the virus could do in a human body, he was gripped with fear.
The journalist went on to narrate how circumstances forced him to withdraw from everyday life habits and social media lifestyle. He sought solace in his village in an attempt to escape his troubled life.
Accompanied by his son, he went on a 6 hour drive to the village to see his family, his grandmother in December 2020.
"We saw her... weak in bed... she tried reaching out to us to hold hands.. we stayed back... it was the first time my son was seeing her... and the last. She breathed her last due to old age," he stated.
In closing remarks, the journalist urged people to be kind to one another and appealed to those battling mental illnesses to speak out.
This is not the first time that a media celebrity has come out to reveal intricate details of their past life, and their struggles... Celebrated actors such as former Tahidi High actor Dennis Mugo alias OJ and President Uhuru Kenyatta's niece Nana Gecaga, have in the past opened up on being bullied and how it affected their lives.
In dealing with such cases, therapists in past interviews have advised individuals to undergo counseling, therapy and social skills training.
