This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
Comedian Wakimani has been open about his struggles with depression and alcoholism, revealing that he's been learning to forgive himself and others as part of his recovery process.
Speaking to Jalango TV, Wakimani shared that he's been battling depression for a long time, and forgiving himself is a crucial step towards healing.
Wakimani's struggles began when he was unable to secure shows as a comedian, leading to financial difficulties and feelings of isolation.
'I was the one taking care of my siblings given that we are orphans,' Wakimani said. 'So having bills to pay and having a very low income started affecting me.'
Wakimani's situation worsened after the death of fellow comedian Ayeiya, and he felt like people weren't understanding him.
As his drinking habits spiralled out of control, Wakimani became an alcoholic and struggled with anger issues, which he attributed to his upbringing in a military family.
'My dad was a military man and all he did was teach us how to defend ourselves, when other parents were teaching their kids how to swim,' Wakimani said.
Wakimani's struggles culminated in a violent incident where he beat up a police officer while drunk, only to learn the next day that the man he had attacked was a law enforcement officer.
Wakimani has since sought help through rehab and therapy, and is working to forgive himself and others.
