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I met my daughter on Facebook-says Eddie Mbugua

Lifestyle
Eddie Mbugua                                       Eddie Mbugua     Photo: Courtesy

You were brought up in the UK. How was it like growing up abroad?

For a black person, it was quite challenging. This was in the 1990s when the ‘hierarchy of races’ was very pronounced. However, this taught me how to be independent and that it’s not wrong to be different.

How was it being brought up by a single mother?

My mother raised my brother and I from 1990. I saw the sacrifices she made to ensure that we had a happy and fruitful life. I learnt that with determination, you can accomplish almost anything.

How did your dad’s absence affect you?

At first, it was hard to understand why he left. However, I decided that I shall be a better father than him. The experience taught me that it’s better to raise your child alone than be in a miserable relationship just to keep up appearances of a happy family.

Did his absence affect your four-year marriage to Loise Wayaki?

I was married to Loise Waiyaki for four years, but we only got to live together for three months since we were always travelling. We had our differences and I walked away.

How come you are not so close to your six-year old son Waiyaki (with ex-wife Loise) as you are to your other son Kimathi (with former girlfriend Lysandra Chen)?

Loise got custody of my son Waiyaki (after divorce). Just because I separated from her does not mean that I am separated from my son. However, I’m not going to fight for him because I’m sure he will look for me one day. Loise is a very good mother though.

You recently met your 21-year-old daughter (Olivia Walker) online. How did this happen?

Last year in March, I saw a message on Facebook from her asking whether I knew a lady named Alice (her mother who was Eddie’s teenage girlfriend). That was a name I hadn’t heard in a very long time. I went through her photos and knew immediately she was my daughter. I wrote back and told her that I knew what she wanted to tell me.

She went quiet for a week, but later replied confirming that indeed she was my daughter. We have been in touch since then and I’m glad that I got a second chance because I know how it feels like to grow up without a father.

Have you met her?

Not yet, but we talk a lot. She is a teacher in Dubai and since it’s not that far, she will be visiting soon. I think she is a lot like me. I also think that she is very courageous to have approached me.

How did you meet her mother and how old were you?

We went to the same school back in Leeds, UK. I was only 14 and she was my first girlfriend. Of course we were not planning for a child, but it happened. Unfortunately, we moved to a new neighbourhood and we did not meet again.

Last year, a woman named Lysandra Chen accused you of wife battery. Is this true?

I don’t want to talk about Lysandra for now, at least not until our court case over child custody is settled in October. However, I’m not a violent man.

How has being a single father changed you?

It has taught me a lot of patience and tolerance; children do that to you! Apart from slowing down on travelling, I have also changed other things, such as dating, which is no longer a priority. I come with baggage and I can never help but wonder if a woman would be willing to have me and my son unconditionally. I’m out of the dating game for a while because I don’t want to confuse my son with different ‘aunties.’

Eddie Mbugua-Njeri made his mark at the Phoenix Players Theatre, but Kenyans remember him as the contestant who missed the Sh17million cash prize on Apprentice Africa in 2008.  

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