Former Harambee Stars midfielder and FKF Deputy President MacDonald Mariga opened a rare window into his private life during a memorial service held for his late mother, Mildred Wanyama, at the Church of God in South B, Nairobi, on July 3, 2025.
Among the mourners was Sianto Tutu, a name unfamiliar to many of Mariga’s fans.
As she rose to the pulpit to pay tribute, she introduced herself simply and gracefully:
“The name of the Lord be praised. I am Sianto Tutu, Mariga’s wife.”
Her calm composure and understated elegance in a dark, subtle floral-patterned dress and glasses instantly caught attention.
While Mariga and his siblings Victor, Eskey, and Alice maintained somber poise, Sianto added a deeply personal note to the service.
She spoke briefly but with warmth, embodying quiet strength at a deeply emotional moment.
Also in attendance was Sarah Teshna, wife of Victor Wanyama, who has longstanding ties to the Wanyama family.
Sarah Teshna shared how she had known Mildred for a decade and once felt intimidated by the prospect of caring for her mother-in-law.
She recounted how they moved into a new home together and Mildred surprised her by offering to manage the kitchen, a gesture of familial generosity.
Teshna, nine months pregnant at the time, expressed appreciation for Mildred’s maternal kindness as she carries her first child.
She urged mourners to pray for unity and peace within the family.
Reflecting on the challenges families face, she noted, “Sometimes the devil uses different ways to tear a family apart, but we will rely on prayers”.
The service included heartfelt tributes from Mildred’s cousins and sisters, followed by public condolences. Social media buzzed with sympathy.
One user wrote, “My sincere condolences, let God’s will be done,” while another offered, “Shine on your way, mami, auntie and the best we ever had”.
Also present was Noah Wanyama, Victor’s father, who shared a moving account of his late wife’s illness a wound that developed into a serious heart condition following treatment.
He told how he learned of her passing and rushed to the hospital in deep grief.
Mariga has long cherished his privacy, keeping his personal life away from media scrutiny.
This memorial provided a rare snapshot: a devoted family man, standing beside a composed and elegant spouse, mourning the matriarch who held them all together.
By Kenyans