This archive report was first published on 11 November 2021.
The Rise and Fall of Mariam Wangui ¶
Four years after becoming an internet sensation as Kenya's 'No Nusu Mkate' woman, Mariam Wangui's life has taken a drastic turn. In 2017, Wangui, popularly known as Full Bread, was seen celebrating the swearing-in of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, holding a full loaf of bread.
Wangui's spirited campaigns for the Jubilee government had started after the nullification of the disputed August 8, 2017, presidential poll results. She was optimistic that the duo would stick together to the end as promised, and her full bread signified an undivided nation.
However, four years later, The Standard team found Wangui struggling to make ends meet. She cooks for people in construction sites, treks for kilometers to deliver the food, and sometimes performs at public and private events as a gospel musician.
Wangui's husband, Henry Muthungu, has been a strong pillar for her, but he also faces challenges linked to her involvement in politics. He works as a caterer to provide for their family and fully supports his wife's passion, despite the criticism they face.
Wangui's dream is to own her home so that she can focus on moving her business higher and comfortably provide for her family. Despite the challenges she faces, she has not lost hope of meeting the two in an official setting and has met with DP Ruto on several occasions.
