Lilian Ng’ang’a reveals son’s name Utheri, meaning in Kikuyu
By Ascah Mwango, April 17, 2026Former Machakos County First Lady and author Lilian Ng’ang’a has introduced the meaning behind her son’s name, Utheri, saying it represents light in Kikuyu.
In a lighthearted update shared on her Instagram page on Thursday, April 16, 2026, she opened up about the naming choice while also engaging her followers on how they settled on names for their children.
“My boy’s name is Utheri. It means ‘light’ in Kikuyu 😊 Did you take months to decide which name to settle for or maybe you already knew?” Lilian Ng’ang’a stated.
Parenthood at 25
This comes a day after she suggested that 25 years could be a reasonable age to consider starting parenthood, linking it to how the human brain develops and how life decisions often become more grounded with age.
In a statement shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Ng’ang’a reflected on the idea that people tend to make better long-term choices once they are older and more emotionally stable.
She noted that, in her opinion, by around 25 years, most people are better placed to make careful decisions about major life steps such as having children.
She also invited her followers to share their own experiences of becoming parents, whether the pregnancies were planned or came as a surprise.
“Since our prefrontal cortex matures around age 25, I’d say that from now on, we are capable of making better decisions, etc. and hence having a baby seems right. ..but things don’t always go to plan:) When did you have your first child? Was it planned? A surprise/shock, maybe?” Lilian stated.
Ng’ang’a herself became a mother in her late 30s, welcoming a child at around 37 years old after her relationship with musician Juliani. Her journey has often been in the public eye, with many followers tracking her shift from her time as Machakos First Lady during her relationship with former Governor Alfred Mutua to her current family life.
Her experience reflects a growing trend of women choosing motherhood later in life, especially in urban areas where education, career development, and personal independence often lead to delayed family planning.