Size 8 shares why she never attended her mother’s burial
By William Muthama, July 4, 2026Gospel singer and pastor Size 8 has opened up about one of the most painful moments of her life, revealing why she was unable to attend her mother’s burial.
Speaking during an interview released on Saturday, July 4, 2026, the mother of two opened up about the heartbreaking loss of her mother, explaining that she was unable to attend the burial because she was recovering from childbirth while caring for her premature baby in hospital.
Painful pregnancy journey
Size 8 said her first pregnancy was marked by severe medical complications that repeatedly landed her in the hospital.
She revealed that she developed dangerously high blood pressure, forcing doctors to recommend an emergency Caesarean section despite her desire to deliver naturally.
“I refused to sign the papers because I wanted to give birth like a woman. Mo signed because both my baby and I were in danger,” she recalled.
Her daughter was delivered safely but was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), while the singer remained under close medical observation.
Only hours later, she received the devastating news that her mother had died.
Heartbreaking decision
Size 8 said doctors advised her against travelling because she had just undergone surgery and her premature baby required specialised care.
“I never buried her because I couldn’t travel. The doctor told me to choose my mum or my daughter. My daughter was premature and under observation,” she said.
Instead of attending the burial, she was only allowed a brief moment to say goodbye.
“I only saw my mum for five minutes. I wasn’t allowed to stay longer because the wound was still fresh. I had to go back and focus on my baby,” she said.
The singer admitted she struggled to process the joy of becoming a mother while mourning the loss of the woman who had supported her throughout her life.
She described November 2015 as the darkest period she has ever experienced.
Faith amid loss
The tragedy was made worse by financial hardship.
Size 8 revealed she had only Ksh58 left in her bank account after spending nearly all her money trying to pay for her mother’s medical treatment.
“I had only Ksh58 in my account because I was the one trying to make sure my mum was hospitalised. I used everything on my mother because I couldn’t allow my mum to die,” she said.
She thanked former Starehe MP Jaguar, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and other well-wishers for stepping in to help settle medical and funeral expenses when she had exhausted her savings.
Looking back on the difficult chapter, Size 8 said her faith carried her through the unimaginable pain.
“If I came out of that season, I can overcome anything. That was the darkest season of my life,” she said.
Size 8’s late mother, Esther Munyali, was buried in Mbale, Uganda.
The burial took place on November 28, 2015, following her passing from kidney failure complications.
The singer’s late mother was a Kenyan from the Kamba community, while her father, Samuel Kirui Munyali, is Ugandan.