Kenyan songstress Marya, best known for her hit song “Chokoza”, has shared an emotional update about her ongoing personal struggles — revealing that she is battling financial hardship, depression, and the pain of being unable to care for her children.
Life After Stroke
Earlier this year, Marya suffered an ischaemic stroke that left one side of her face partially paralysed. Recounting the terrifying incident, she explained that she was holding her young son when he slipped from her arms. As she tried to lift him, she suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. Her nanny, alerted by the commotion, rushed in to find both mother and child on the floor before calling for help.
Doctors later confirmed that Marya had suffered a stroke. She recalled how one side of her body went completely numb, forcing her to begin months of painful and costly physiotherapy. The recovery journey, she admits, has been both physically draining and financially overwhelming.
The artist has previously appealed to well-wishers for assistance to help offset her medical expenses as she continues her rehabilitation.
A Heartbreaking Birthday Message
Despite her struggles, Marya recently marked her birthday with an emotionally raw message that touched thousands of her followers. Taking to Instagram Stories, she revealed that her belongings were being auctioned and that she was “losing everything,” yet she remained grateful for the gift of life.
“Fighting for my life, being auctioned and losing everything, but I’m still thankful for another year. Happy birthday to me,” she wrote.
On her main page, she shared another deeply moving post, expressing her pain at being unable to provide for her children:
“It’s not been easy not being able to provide for my kids, being auctioned, losing hope, depressed… but happy birthday to me.”
Messages of Support
Fans and fellow celebrities flooded her comment section with heartfelt messages of support, urging her to remain strong and not give up. Many praised her resilience and faith, calling her an inspiration for choosing gratitude amid immense hardship.
A Difficult Career Journey
Marya rose to fame in the early 2010s under Ogopa DJs, where she released hits like Chokoza featuring Avril. However, after her contract ended, her music career took a downturn. She tried pursuing her craft independently but struggled to afford studio sessions and production costs.
Reflecting on her past, she admitted that early fame came without financial guidance: “I became famous and got money at a very young age. I didn’t have someone to tell me to save or invest. The next thing, I was broke. That was my mistake. I was only 22.”
Lessons and Resilience
Today, Marya is focused on healing and rebuilding her life. Despite being auctioned and facing deep financial strain, she remains hopeful that her current challenges are temporary and that her story of resilience will inspire others.
“I believe my comeback story is still being written,” she said in a previous interview — a message that continues to reflect her unbroken spirit and determination to rise again.
