I am Marwa opens up about losing his eye at age 11
By Valerian Khakayi, April 10, 2026Kenyan travel YouTuber Fredrick Marwa, famously known as Iam Marwa, has shared a deeply personal story about a life-changing experience he went through as a child, losing his eye at just 11 years old.
Recalling that difficult period, Marwa, in a video shared on Friday, April 10, 2026, explained that everything happened within a very short time while he was still in primary school.
Apart from the eye, he says he also lost his tooth, adding that all that happened in a span of one week, which he says almost cost his life.
“I lost my eye when I was 11. So when I was 11 years old, I was in primary school, I lost my tooth, and I also lost my eye in a span of one week. That week I nearly died,” Marwa disclosed.
According to Marwa, the condition began as a small growth accompanied by a black mark near his eye, something that had been there for a couple of years.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding it, he chose to see it from a positive perspective.
“Actually, there was a growth that it was growing here; there is a black mark, but this mark has been like that for, I think, two or three years and sometimes I think it is a very good mark. I always try to see the good in everything,” he added.
“I feel like that mark tries to take all the dirty things; let’s say my eye had a very bad thing so that black thing holds every time.”
Getting surgery
Even after losing his eye, the thought of undergoing surgery has lingered in his mind.
However, fear has often held him back. As the breadwinner, Marwa worries about the risks involved and the possibility of complications.
“Getting surgery has always crossed my mind, but I have always thought of maybe if something goes wrong, everything will collapse around me,” Marwa stated.
“I am the breadwinner. I have always considered having surgery but at the same time afraid, like what if I am told I cannot do anything, you cannot see any light until six months are over.”
Turning it into inspiration
Despite the challenges, Marwa’s story is one of resilience and purpose. He believes his journey is meant to inspire others.
“My story is very important because God chose me to be in this position I am today so that I can encourage someone out there,” he added.
Growing up, he admits he had every reason to give up. He could have told his mother he couldn’t see, couldn’t read, or couldn’t continue with school. He could have pretended to be sick just to avoid the struggle, but he chose not to.
“You know, as I was growing, I had all reasons to tell my mother,I cannot see, I cannot read, I cannot go to school, even just to pretend that Iam sick when Iam not sick, but I refused to be a victim, “Marwa pointed out.