Maureen Waititu: I had planned to set my car on fire and end my life
By Paulette Mboga, September 11, 2026Maureen Waititu has revealed that she once planned to end her life by setting her car on fire, saying she had already worked out how she would carry out the plan.
The influencer shared the revelation while marking World Suicide Awareness Day, reflecting on a difficult period in her life. She said the incident happened on October 11, 2019, when she was in Murang’a.
“This photo was taken on 11th October 2019 – We were in Murang’a, and the only thing that made sense was to leave this world. I had it all planned out. Drop the kids home, pass by the gas station, buy whatever fuel I could get, drive off and set the car on fire,” Maureen said on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
She explained that looking back at the moment remains emotional for her, especially because of how clearly she had planned to take her own life. Maureen said the situation was also a reminder of how far she had come since then.
“This makes me so emotional when I think about it – but God with His humour and grace made that,” Maureen said.
The thoughts did not end immediately
Maureen said the attempt in 2019 was not the only time she thought about ending her life. However, she noted that it was the last attempt she made to take her own life.
“It was the last attempt to take my life – but not the last time I thought about it,” Maureen said.
She said several years have now passed since she last experienced those thoughts, marking a major change from the period when she believed leaving the world was the only option.
Maureen also said her outlook on life has changed, adding that she now has a strong desire to continue living. She shared the reflection as part of her message on World Suicide Awareness Day.
“It’s been a few years since I thought about it and now I want to live soooooo bad,” Maureen said.
Her account offers a look into a period when she was struggling with thoughts of suicide and had reached the point of making a plan. By sharing the experience years later, Maureen reflected on the difference between that period and where she is now.