- Nasibo said she hasn’t been able to get the help that she desires partly because people don’t understand that depression is a real disease.
- “They think maybe you are feeling sorry for yourself and I have learnt that sometimes when you are down, people abandon you,” she said.
Image: HANDOUT
A video of former award-winning health journalist Nasibo Kabale living in squalid conditions has sparked an outpouring of empathy and sympathy from Kenyans with majority offering to help her regain her footing.
Nasibo said she found herself in the situation after a 2020 bout of depression triggered by rising fatalities from the Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on her mental health.
The former NTV health reporter said some of her colleagues were laid off at the height of the global pandemic and in the course of that period, she realised she couldn’t cope promting her to be hospitalized and put on antidepressants.
“After that I went (to work) two times then quit on the third attempt,” she said.
Nasibo, 26, was one of the frontline workers during the pandemic in the media sector and was at the forefront updating Kenyans daily on the goings on nationally and globally.
It was at a time social distancing, sanitising, washing of hands and the wearing of face masks became part of humanity.
Nasibo explained that this new way of doing things exacerbated her condition and strained her relationship with her daughter who now stays with the father.
“She’s in Grade II now, she’s very fine but I’m sure she misses motherly love. I would feel the same if I were in her position,” she said.
Nasibo said she hasn’t been able to get the help that she desires partly because people don’t understand that depression is a real disease.
“They think maybe you are feeling sorry for yourself and I have learnt that sometimes when you are down, people abandon you,” she said.
Nasibo said she would like to get back to what she does best but not on TV – podcasting and vlogging– if she gets the equipment.
“I used to be a writer but the media is changing, people don’t even buy newspapers anymore so I would like to do something along with the podcast area,” she said.
Nasibo said she already has a ring light and all she needs now is a good phone and microphone and she’ll be back into business.
Kenyans led by comedian cum philanthropist Eric Omondi responded positively to her call for help and offered to do whatever is within their means to help Nasibo regain her footing.
“This is sad. Please help me find her. Let’s lift her, give her back her shine,” Omondi said.
“I have cried. Woie! What can we do? Where is she?” gospel musician Vicky Kitonga added.
“The good thing is that she can still express herself very well, all is not lost. A little support and she’ll be on her feet! God’s grace!” added an Instagram user.
“Tupewe playbillnumber. She is very respectful and good hearted. My God bless her as he did to job,” added another.
“She still got so good enunciation and diction,may she get the help she needs and deserves. She’s still a champion,” was yet another word of encouragement.