It is often said that no parent should have to bury their child. For one, Cecilia Gatho, the pain and sorrow of seeing her child go six feet under was devastating.
Her seven-year-old son, identified only as Martin, died after he was hit by an unfinished culvert block left by a contractor in Kinangop, in Nyandarua county. The boy was playing with his friends in the neighbourhood at the time of the incident.
So distraught was Gaitho, that she left an emotional message to her late son in a Facebook post, pouring out her state of mind.
"I hate the very thought of my existence while you lie six feet under. I miss you baby, so much. You were my world, I have nothing else left to live for. I want to protect you, hug you, and tell you how much I love you. Even in death, " read part of her post.
Close friends of the woman intimated that she secluded herself after the tragedy. On the day of her son's burial, Gaitho's friend, Steve Mwangi, revealed that she didn't show emotions- much to the surprise of those in attendance.
"It is the way that she bravely spoke of the loss on that day as she eulogized her son and how she hoped to deal with it in the days ahead that made me feel relief in knowing she was on her path to overcoming grief," he stated.
Mwangi noted that Gaitho was surrounded by caring friends who sought to help her overcome the traumatic situation.
"What was even encouraging was the friends who surrounded her. From her updates, I could see, or so I imagined, that she was recovering from the loss well. From shaving her dreadlocks to joining a support group of people dealing with such loss.
"We were to have coffee exactly a week ago as they were coming to my neighbourhood with her very supportive dad. The day will now never be," he noted after confirming that Gaitho died by suicide days later.
Here is the full message:
"Today marks exactly 40 days since you grew wings. Nothing has been the same, the constant ache in my heart gets worse by the minute.
I haven't been able to come to terms with the loss and I keep looking outside, hoping you will come back. Tears have become my daily food, and the emptiness I feel is immense. We had our family dreams, just me and you.
"The better part of me died the day you breathed your last. I want to wake up beside you like you always did. I want to laugh at your jokes, smile at your brilliance and do the many things we did together. For now, the emptiness continues to give me that glare.
I hate the very thought of my existence while you lie six feet under. I miss you baby, so so much. You were my world, I have nothing else left to live for. I want to protect you, hug you, chum your cute cheeks and tell you how much I love you. Even in death."
Counsellors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issues. Call Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199 for support.
