Eddy Kimani is a Kenyan media practitioner and consultant, actor, voice over artist businessman, mental health campaigner and a master of ceremony. Falling from the glam of being on the screens to battling depression and failing to bounce back has been the eventful but unfortunate life journey of the veteran media personality.
With 15 years experience in the media industry, Eddy had everything he dreamed of; from celebrity recognition to money to being on Television and Film screens. In 2014, he got an opportunity to work with the county government of Nakuru as the director of communication. Being born and raised in Nakuru, he thought it as an opportunity to be part of the transformation and devolution of the County.
Moving to Nakuru
The shift to another county meant that he had to separate from his wife and children. The transition from corporate to public employment was not easy because it meant less money, so he had to dig deeper into his pockets to survive.
Speaking to Engage talk during a past interview, Eddy revealed that he decide to venture into businesses to supplement his finances. Unfortunately, all his businesses failed terribly and he had to take loans to keep them running but it amounted to nothing, pushing him further into a financial crisis.
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Marriage crumbles
Leaving his family in Nairobi, meant that the relationship would be a long distant one, with little communication with his family, his marriage was on a verge of divorce. He plunged into alcoholism and infidelity, and his marriage came to an end.
With toxic masculinity, he thought he could survive and handle everything better. The money he was paid was less that he was kicked out of his rental house twice, forcing him to stay with a friend .
At the age of 39 years, he lost everything that he had and at that time, he decided to do something no man would want to do. He went back to his home, told his mother that he had failed in his life as a career man, father and husband.
Suicide Attempts
He decided to relocate to Ukunda town in the hopes of a better life but it became worse. Three weeks in Ukunda town, he felt that he had nothing to look forward to and opted to commit suicide. In the first attempt, he used a mosquito net but he did not die, so he opted for a walk as he planned his next suicide attempt.
He had met a friend, Peter – a businessman from in ukunda who recognized him as the ‘TV guy’ and they became close. Peter owned a bakery in Ukunda.
Eddy shared his pain and thoughts, and Peter resulted to pray for him and adviced him to go back home to his family. Surprisingly, his wife called around that time and requested that he attend a parents meeting at his children’s school. Going back became the turning point.
He focused on saving his marriage, building his relationship with his children and becoming a better version of himself. He worked on how he would become a better father to his 2 children, realizing his children that needed him more than he needed them.
From struggling with depression to losing everything, being authentic about his life gave him a huge sense of relief.
Bell’s Palsy
Eddy later joined the Quality Rights Training Course provided by WHO and is now a full time health advocate and campaigner. As a result of depression, Eddy now battles Bell’s Palsy a condition that is characterized by muscle weakness that causes one half of the face to droop.
He described that the condition began with a weird metallic taste in his mouth, then his left eye could not blink and after visiting the hospital he was diagnosed with the disease.
Eddy notes that it is okay to fail and that depression does not recognize if ones a millionaire or not. He adds that it is also okay to feel vulnerable and cry, noting that toxic masculinity is pushing more men to depression.
Eddy now advocates for corporate organizations to invest in the mental health of their employees.
