Rachael Otuoma: People might think I moved on, but I still cry behind the curtains

Rachael Otuoma, the widow of the late football star Ezekiel Otuoma, has opened up about her private struggles since his passing, revealing that the pain of losing him still lingers deeply in her heart despite the brave face she often wears in public.

Ezekiel Otuoma, who once graced Kenyan football pitches as a celebrated winger for AFC Leopards and other teams, succumbed to motor neurone disease on Saturday, December 21, 2024, after a long and painful battle with the illness.

You might also like

Celebrity

Emotional Bishop Kiengei mourns nephew who died at 35 in Nakuru hospital

Entertainment

Murugi Munyi shares pain of repeated family loss

Entertainment

Rachael Otuoma shades critics after East Africa Superwoman Awards victory

Speaking candidly in a TikTok live session on the night of Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Rachael admitted that many people fail to understand the silent grief she carries every day, as they only see the controlled version of her life she presents online.

According to her, expressing her emotions openly on social platforms would easily be misunderstood by critics, who might accuse her of seeking pity.

“People do not know what someone goes through. People might think I moved on. But if I come here crying on TikTok, people will say I am looking for sympathy. So, behind the scenes, that is where I deal with my emotions, even when they overwhelm me. I always tell myself, let me cover them up there. If I come here with those emotions, you will say I am seeking sympathy or pretending I have people supporting me. They do not know the reality,” she explained, emphasising the inner battles she faces daily.

Rachael also made it clear that despite her husband’s passing, the name Otuoma remains a permanent part of her identity.

Addressing questions about why she continues to hold on to the surname, she confidently stated that it carries weight and honour she would never relinquish.

“Those who will come after him, they will just have to respect that name Otuoma. Yes, I am Rachael Otuoma. That name is very big. The man who comes next in my life will have to adjust slowly. That name will never change very soon, never. One thing people should know is that I have never gotten over Otuoma, even if I have someone or will meet someone in the future. That name remains. It is not easy to change that name. Even his pictures are still in my house,” she declared.

Otuoma’s photos

In the same live session, Rachael also spoke extensively about how deeply she had been in love with Otuoma, stating that she still keeps his photographs and displays them in her living room as a way of honouring his memory.

However, she revealed that the images evoke pain but also offer a sense of closeness to a man she loved deeply and continues to cherish.

“Of course, it pains me in my heart, but I still want to see the photos of Otuoma around me or anything that belonged to him. I still want to see it around me,” she added, underscoring the enduring connection she feels to his memory.