Mike Muchiri opens up on battling depression and the rebirth of Ziya Africa
Digital content creator Mike Muchiri, currently known as Ziya Africa, has opened up about the silent battle that led to his months-long disappearance from social media and the emotional journey that inspired his rebirth.
In a deeply personal reflection during an interview on the Mic Cheque podcast in an episode aired on Sunday, November 23, 2025, Ziya Africa revealed that this year pushed him to extremes he never imagined.
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What many assumed was a random celebrity’s social media break was actually his first major depressive episode, a struggle he says changed every part of his life.
“If I could ever write a book, it could be about this year, I feel like this year I have experienced extremes,” he disclosed.
“First of all, Nikidisappear, I would say this year was my first time going through what I would say was my first depressive episode ever, and I did not know how to handle it.”
Ziya said the emotional weight became so overwhelming that he pulled away from everything and everyone, adding that he stopped creating content, avoided social media, and distanced himself from friends.
“One thing that was for sure, crystal clear, was that I did not want to see anyone; I did not want to be around, and I did not want to create content or even be visible on socials,” Ziya said.
He went as far as changing his phone number and disabling the old one. Only his family had access to him during that period.
“I changed my number and disabled my previous number. The only people who had access to me were my family,” he said.
“In June, I never left the house completely. Am loved at home; it’s a good thing my siblings used to send me food and check up on me.”
The rebirth
The digital content creator further described the experience as both painful and transformative, a season that forced him to peel back layers, remove masks, and confront himself honestly.
“Sometimes you have to go through these experiences for you to step back and clearly see yourself, peel back all the layers, all the mask uwache kuperform and see yourself for yourself. That is what I went through,” Ziya stated.
He added that the moment, though dark, was necessary.
“It was a good and really bad circumstance for me emotionally, mentally and everything, but I came out of it, fear, Ziya,” he shared.
After weeks of isolation and reflection, he began rebuilding himself and embracing a new identity.
“Now I love life and I want to create,” he stated.
