Kenyan digital creator Maribel Immac Irungu, widely known on TikTok as Maribel, has passed away following a long and painful battle with Bipolar 1 Disorder.
She was celebrated by many as a brave and open voice who never shied away from sharing her personal struggles online.
Maribel had been using her social media platforms, particularly TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, to share her personal journey with mental illness with honesty and raw vulnerability.
She spoke openly about her diagnosis, her struggles with depression, and the pressures of being a firstborn daughter carrying the weight of family responsibilities.
Her story resonated with thousands of Kenyans who found comfort in knowing they were not alone in their battles.
Diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder in 2018, Maribel traced the beginning of her mental health struggles to her childhood, linking them to experiences of rejection and bullying.
Despite the pain she carried, she continued to show up online, sharing her story in a way that many found both relatable and eye-opening.
Beyond her digital presence, she was also a real estate executive and a budding fashion designer.
Last year, she was admitted to the ICU at St. Francis Hospital for treatment related to her mental health condition.
Her passing has left the TikTok community and her followers devastated, with many taking to social media to mourn her and remember her as a fighter who gave a face to struggles that too many Kenyans suffer in silence.
