The community of Nyeri is still reeling from the shock of losing one of their own in such tragic circumstances. Clinical officer Shiro Ka Ribui and her young daughter Bella passed away under unclear circumstances in their home last week.
New details have emerged about Ribui’s state of mind in the days leading up to the tragedy. Close friends say the single mother had been struggling with mental health issues and financial difficulties. Her social media posts in the days prior paint a grim picture, with cries for help that seemingly went unnoticed.
“Tomorrow is a sure bet,” read one troubling message.
In another post, Ribui mentioned being in need of a job as an ominous “countdown” began. Concerning messages like these have left many in the community questioning how more was not done to offer support.
Ribui, known affectionately as Mama Bella, was well-liked in Nyeri for her caring nature. Colleagues at the local clinic say she worked tirelessly but the pressures of single motherhood often weighed heavily.
In her final posts, the mental turmoil Ribui was experiencing came to the fore, though the specific circumstances of her and Bella’s death remain unclear.
Many in Nyeri now reflect on whether more could have been done had Ribui’s cries for help been recognized as distress signals by the online friends she turned to. This community is now focused on honoring her memory through supporting others in similar situations of struggle.