Liz Wangui addresses claims gospel singer Naomi Gathoni was mocked at mum’s memorial
By Steve Ireri, July 11, 2026Gospel singer Liz Wangui Muchiri has dismissed claims that fellow gospel singer Naomi Gathoni was mocked or laughed at during her late mother’s memorial service, insisting that a viral video circulating online has been taken out of context.
In a detailed statement shared on Facebook on Friday, July 10, 2026, Liz defended Naomi while also revealing the circumstances that led to the singer being invited to minister during the emotional memorial held in honour of her late mother.
According to Liz, nothing negative happened during the memorial from her perspective, contrary to the impression created online.
“As for me, nothing bad happened during my mum’s memorial,” she wrote.
The singer explained that the portion of the video showing people laughing has been widely misunderstood, saying everyone present, including Naomi herself, was laughing at the time.
She argued that critics isolated that particular moment without considering the broader context of what had transpired during the event.
“The other part of the video is where we were laughing. Naomi herself was laughing, and everyone in the hall laughed. But because Lizz had lost her mother, people expected that I shouldn’t laugh,” she explained.
Liz questioned why many people rushed to judge the situation without first seeking to establish the facts.
“My question is, why is it that when someone is being attacked, you pick up stones without even wanting to know the facts? Until when will we keep attacking each other?” she posed.
Despite the backlash, Liz said she had forgiven those who criticised and insulted her while she was still mourning her mother.
“To those who have insulted me mercilessly when I am still mourning, I forgive you,” she stated.
The gospel singer also dismissed suggestions that Naomi had attended the memorial without an invitation.
According to Liz, she personally requested Naomi to attend and had already planned to give her an opportunity to minister.
“Gathoni didn’t just show up on her own to my mum’s memorial. I told her to come, and she would be given a chance,” she clarified.
Close relationship
She further revealed that the two had developed a close relationship long before the memorial, although many people were unaware of their journey together.
“The journey that we have walked together, most of you don’t know about it,” Liz wrote.
She disclosed that she first met Naomi outside the headquarters of Dama Mobile Spares, where the singer was selling melons while struggling to care for her sick child.
According to Liz, she immediately stepped in to help by giving Naomi some money so she could seek medical treatment for her child.
“I met Gathoni at Dama Mobile Spares headquarters, where she was selling melons while her child was sick. I gave her some money, and she took the child to the hospital,” she said.
Liz added that she later informed her employer, businesswoman Damaris Muriithi, popularly known as Dama Wa Mobile Spares, about Naomi’s situation.
She said Dama agreed to support the singer by giving her a platform to share her story.
However, the plans were delayed after Naomi’s child fell ill again before tragedy struck Liz’s own family.
“Later, I called my boss, and she fulfilled her promise. Unfortunately, Naomi’s other child fell sick again, so she had to take care of the child first, and later we planned to do the video story. But then my mum died, so we decided to finish the funeral first,” Liz explained.
She also revealed that she had hoped Naomi would be given an opportunity to speak during the memorial and explain her personal struggles.
According to Liz, that would have helped members of the public understand why she had been invited to the event.
“I wish she had been allowed to speak so that those insulting us would understand, but unfortunately she was silenced,” she stated.
Liz also expressed gratitude to Kenyans who have since come together to support Naomi following the controversy.
“I take this opportunity to thank Kenyans for coming through for Naomi. May God bless you all,” she wrote.
She went on to thank businessman Simon Kamonde Mbugua and content creator Wakarĩndĩ Wa Ndĩithi for giving Naomi opportunities to rebuild her life.
“To Simon Kamonde Mbugua and Wakarĩndĩ Wa Ndĩithi, God bless you for giving her a platform to become,” she added.
In an emotional reflection, Liz suggested that despite the pain of losing her mother, the tragedy had unexpectedly become a turning point in Naomi’s life.
“I think my mum had to die so that people like Gathoni could be helped,” she wrote.
