Musician Wangari Wa Kabera issues emotional update after mum passes away
By Steve Ireri, December 14, 2025Mugithi singer Florence Wangari Wa Kabera has shared an emotional update following the passing of her mother, Beth Maina, who died on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the age of 85.
Speaking during an interview with a local YouTuber on Sunday, December 14, 2025, Wangari reflected on her mother’s life, the profound role she played in raising her children, and the lasting impact of her guidance and sacrifices.
She revealed that her father, Maina, had passed away in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, making her mother the last surviving parent and central figure in their family.
“Our mum’s name was Beth Wa Maina. Her husband, Maina, passed away in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our mother died at the age of 85 on Thursday,” she said.
She confirmed that her mother will be laid to rest on Monday, December 15, 2025, and described the careful preparations being made for the burial ceremony, which will honour her mother’s life and legacy.
“And we will lay her to rest on Monday, December 15, 2025. We will have a burial, yes,” she said.
During the interview, Wangari emphasised that she does not wish to criticise fellow artistes who may not have immediately supported her during this difficult period, stating that she remains grateful for their ongoing friendship and continues to hold them in high regard.
She explained that grief is a personal journey and that true support may arrive in various ways, beyond immediate gestures.
“I do not want to criticise artistes for not being immediately present during this difficult time, because you never curse a day before it is done. I know they will still support me, and I still love them very much,” she shared.
The musician also highlighted the inspiration her mother had provided for much of her music.
She spoke about her signature lyrics, including “Aciari aaamukirai na ngatho nie ndi mwana wanyu tondu nduraga ndukumaga,” which translates to “Parents, please always receive me with gratitude because I am your child and I am always hustling for you,” and “Mami mami maitu Beth ngakuriha naki,” meaning “Mum, mum Beth, I always wonder what I will ever repay you with.”
“One of my trademarks as a singer has always been the lyrics ‘Aciari aaamukirai na ngatho nie ndi mwana wanyu tondu nduraga ndukumaga,’ which translates to ‘Parents, please always receive me with gratitude because I am your child and I am always hustling for you.’ Another song, ‘Mami mami maitu Beth ngakuriha naki,’ translates to ‘Mum, mum Beth, I always wonder what I will ever repay you with.’ In those songs, I was usually singing to my mother, Beth, who has now passed,” she shared.
She explained that one of these songs was released in 2000 in her mother’s honour, celebrating the sacrifices she had made in raising them under challenging circumstances.
“One of these songs was released in 2000 in her honour because of how she brought us up with so much struggle, and I vowed that when I succeeded in life, I would help her,” she added.
Wangari shared that even during her mother’s final days, she had ensured her comfort and well-being by providing medical care and attending to her needs, expressing gratitude for being able to fulfil her responsibilities as a daughter.
“I know I made efforts to support her, and even before she passed, she was sick, and I did everything within my power to care for her and buy her medications. I can say God has helped me, and I did my part,” she shared.