Gladys Gachanja, a respected media personality and former news anchor, recently opened up about a heartbreaking chapter in her life involving the mistreatment of her son by a house help. The mother of one recounted how difficult it was to juggle her demanding career while dealing with a crisis at home that deeply affected her emotionally.
She shared that there was a time when she was afraid to take a break from work, even when her instincts and circumstances at home were clearly pointing to trouble. The turning point came when her son’s teacher called her from school with a troubling message — her son had refused to go home. That call shook her to the core, as she instantly knew something was terribly wrong.
“I got that call and my stomach turned. There was a rage that came over me like, ‘how dare someone hurt my child?’” she recalled, fighting back tears. At the time, she felt trapped — work was demanding more from her than ever, with staff being reassigned and workloads increasing. Meanwhile, at home, she faced the unbearable truth that the person entrusted with caring for her son was the one causing him harm.
As a single mother, Gachanja found herself at a crossroads. She couldn’t continue leaving her child in that environment, yet she didn’t have the luxury of simply walking away from her job. The uncertainty of what would happen if she took a break loomed over her. “I remember calling my office and saying, ‘I don’t have a nanny anymore. I don’t know what’s going to happen to my job,’” she said, emphasizing how alone and powerless she felt in that moment.
One incident that still haunts her is the moment her son screamed and cried as she left the house for work. It was a cry of fear and pain that no parent ever wants to hear — a moment that broke her heart and pushed her to take action, regardless of the consequences.
She candidly admitted to struggling with questions many single mothers silently battle with. “Everyone else seems to be managing just fine. Why me? What am I doing wrong?” she asked. Her emotional story is a reminder of the unseen battles many parents face behind closed doors, especially single mothers trying to balance their careers and family life.
The revelation has resonated deeply with many online. Comments poured in from fellow single mothers expressing solidarity, support, and shared pain. Some called for more open conversations about leaving children with their fathers, while others shared how hard single parenting can be, even with faith and support systems.
In another related account, a separate case involving a house help was caught on CCTV mistreating a five-month-old baby by covering the infant’s mouth with a napkin to silence the cries. Such incidents highlight the importance of vigilance and trust when it comes to childcare.
Gachanja’s emotional testimony is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to protect your child, even when life presents seemingly impossible choices. Her courage in sharing her story continues to inspire and open up conversations around motherhood, single parenting, and child safety.