Wanjiku Wa Kairu says she no longer wishes to be cremated after witnessing Maribel’s ceremony
By Steve Ireri, May 21, 2026Kikuyu actress Wanjiku Wa Kairu has revealed that she no longer wishes to be cremated after attending and witnessing the emotional cremation ceremony of TikToker Maribel Imac Irungu.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, May 21, 2026, Wanjiku revealed that the experience left her deeply affected and unable to look at cremation the same way again.
She expressed that while she had previously considered cremation as a personal preference, the events surrounding Maribel’s final farewell changed her perspective completely.
“Saying I want to be cremated when I die is a good wish. I know I have said that too. But after yesterday, I resay my words msiwahi nichoma,” she clarified.
She said that witnessing the emotional moments during the ceremony left a lasting impression on her, adding that she cannot unsee what she experienced, describing it as a deeply traumatic moment.
Wanjiku noted that although she had once openly stated that cremation would be her wish when she dies, she now regrets those words and has since changed her mind.
“I don’t want my loved ones to have such an experience,” she added.
She added that she would prefer to be laid to rest in a more traditional manner, expressing a new preference for burial rather than cremation.
In her message, she also reflected on the emotional weight of the experience, saying it left her unsettled and emotionally overwhelmed.
Wanjiku further emphasised that the experience made her reconsider how people think about end-of-life wishes, noting that real-life experiences can sometimes change personal decisions.
“Munizike na mpande maua am Florence am a flower. I love flowers too. Yesterday let trauma in me, I can’t unsee it
,” she wrote.
Maribel’s cremation
TikToker Maribel Immac Irungu, who was known for openly speaking about her bipolar disorder journey, was cremated at the Hindu crematorium in Nyeri on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The cremation, which was conducted in accordance with her wishes, came after a day-long gathering at her family home in Kiandu, Nyeri, where relatives and friends held a memorial ceremony marked by emotional tributes and sombre songs in her honour.
During the ceremony, mourners described Maribel as a vibrant but troubled young woman who battled mental health challenges while still maintaining close relationships with those around her.
Her father, Irungu, who spoke while holding Maribel’s mother, delivered a deeply emotional tribute describing his daughter as a loving child who remained close to her family throughout her life.
He said Maribel often consulted both him and her mother on matters affecting her life, noting that her sudden passing had left the family devastated and struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“She was a loving daughter and a good friend of mine and her mother. She used to consult us on everything she wanted to do. It hurts so much for her to leave us like this,” he said.
The grieving father further confirmed that Maribel had been living with bipolar disorder, adding that the family believes she passed away and went to be with her maker as a result of her long-standing condition.
He emotionally reflected on the many memories they shared, revealing that he had cried several times because of her struggles, but also deeply loved her and did everything he could for her while she was alive.
“Yes, she was sick and had bipolar disorder, and what we believe is that she has gone to be with her Maker because of her condition. I remember so many things about her. I have cried many times because of her. I loved her deeply and I did everything I could for her,” he recalled.