Nevnina Onyango, the widow of the late blogger Albert Ojwang, marked a bittersweet milestone this week as she celebrated her son’s fifth birthday with a deeply personal tribute on social media.
Albert Ojwang met his untimely death at the Central Police Station, Nairobi, as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.
Ojwang was buried on Friday, July 4, in an emotional ceremony attended by thousands of mourners at his family home in Homa Bay. On July 7, Ojwang would have turned 32, and his wife posthumously celebrated him on his birthday
In a moving post, Nevnina described the little boy as one of the greatest gifts life has given her, particularly during the painful period following her husband’s death.
She wrote that his laughter, hugs, and innocent smile had carried her through moments she struggled to put into words.
“Through some of my darkest days, especially after losing your daddy, your little smile, your hugs, and your innocent laughter have given me strength in ways words could never explain,” Nevnina wrote.
She acknowledged that her son, still too young to fully grasp the weight of what their family has been through, has unknowingly played a vital role in helping her navigate grief.
She was careful to point out that his presence has not erased the pain of loss but rather reminded her that life still holds beauty and love worth living for.
“You may be too young to understand just how much you’ve helped me handle grief, but I hope one day you will know that you’ve been one of God’s greatest gifts to me. You haven’t replaced the pain or the loss, but you’ve reminded me that there is still so much love and beauty left in life,” she shared.
A mother’s promise on her son’s birthday
The birthday message was both a celebration and a declaration of devotion. Nevnina promised to always be her son’s biggest cheerleader, safer, and number one fan, expressing a mother’s unconditional love in terms that resonated with many who have experienced loss while raising young children.
“I love you more than words could ever express, my baby. May life always be kind to you. May you grow in happiness, good health, wisdom, and grace,” she wrote, closing the message with a playful nod to his loyalty to Manchester United.
This marks the second consecutive year that Nevnina has publicly celebrated her son’s birthday with a heartfelt tribute.
Last year, when he turned four, she also showered him with love in a post that equally touched on the journey of raising him without his father by her side.
Ojwang’s family stays close
Beyond his mother, the young boy has remained surrounded by family love. Albert Ojwang’s parents have been photographed spending quality time with their grandson since their son’s passing, sharing warm moments that show the family’s determination to keep their bond with the child strong.
Albert Ojwang, a teacher by profession and blogger, died and left behind his young family. His widow has since raised their son while keeping the memory of his father alive through her public posts and tributes.
