Love, loss, and legacy: Fathers as the launch pads for the next generation's ambitions

From a chess champion's training fees to a politician's campaign support, these stories reveal the quiet heroism of fathers who shape Kenya's future.

The tears that streamed down Meshack Ojwang's face this week were not the proud tears fathers hope to shed on Father's Day. They were tears of unimaginable anguish—the kind that flow when your only son, a 29-year-old teacher who had shared a meal with you just hours before, dies under mysterious circumstances in police custody.

As Kenya prepares to celebrate fathers this Sunday, Meshack joins a heart-breaking fraternity of fathers whose children became casualties of state violence. Albert's postmortem has revealed that his injuries were not self-inflicted, contradicting the initial police narrative. For his father, no investigation can bring back the son who would have called to wish him a happy Father's Day.

Read: Daughters in the dark: The life-shattering cost of missing fathers

Yet in boardrooms and village centres, in chess training halls and construction sites across Kenya, other fathers continue the quiet work of building dreams. They are paying school fees for children who aren't their own, teaching daughters to connect audio cables, and standing up in village meetings to defend girls' rights to education. Their stories—nine voices captured here—remind us that even in our darkest moments, paternal love endures as one of life's most transformative forces.

From a 13-year-old boy in Kisumu who proudly watches his father mentor girls whilst cooking dinner, to a member of county assembly whose teacher-father campaigned door-to-door for her political dreams, these testimonies paint a picture of modern Kenyan fatherhood that transcends traditional boundaries. They speak of men who have weaponised love to fight inequality, who have turned their homes into launching pads for the next generation's ambitions.

The trinity of fatherhood: Lover, leader and priest

Amani Hawi Afifu, 13

“People often ask me, ‘Amani, you look a lot like your dad,’ and for the longest time, my father, Chryspin Afifu, and I would wonder what they meant. We don't think we resemble each other physically at all. But then I started hearing other comments: ‘You're so confident,’ ‘You're so funny,’ and suddenly it all made sense. These traits tied back to who my father is—a man who can walk into any room, say a few words, and brighten everyone's day.

“After 13 years of watching him, I've come to understand that whilst the dictionary defines a father as simply ‘a man in relation to his child,’ true fatherhood is much more profound. For me, a father embodies three essential roles: he is a lover, a leader, and the priest of his home.

“As a lover, my dad has mastered the art of stepping out of his ego to show genuine affection. He puts our family first, working late nights and overtime hours just so we can have education and food on the table. It's not just about provision, though—he attends every school function, every parent-teacher meeting, every class gathering. When I set my mind to something, he's there to support me. When times get tough, he's there to encourage me.

“He takes education seriously, and honestly, I agree with him. Given all the privileges I was born with, the least I can do is excel in school and make him proud.

“As a leader, he sets an example not just for his own children but for every child he encounters. Whenever we go anywhere, you'll find children literally climbing on him because of the magnetic impression he makes. He finds time to bond with each one, leaving lasting images in their young minds. I now understand what people mean when they say I resemble him—it's not our faces they're seeing, it's his confidence, his humour, his ability to connect with people of all ages that has somehow imprinted itself on me.

Read: Greatest gift you can give as a father? Be present throughout

“Finally, as the priest of our home, my dad takes God seriously. You can joke with him about anything—anything except God. He constantly reminds us to keep our Creator close because God is our maker, our foundation.

“But I want to speak directly to the fathers reading this. I know our beloved country presents you with enormous pressures—the high cost of living, economic uncertainty, and countless other challenges. I need you to know something: you are loved and cherished by many. Your children look up to you. Please don't let them down.

“I understand it's incredibly difficult to raise children in these times, but please don't give up. You are not alone in this struggle.

“When I have children of my own someday, I hope to be an even better version of my dad.

“Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there—we love and appreciate you more than you know.”

Failure can happen to anyone, no one is immune

Benta Ochieng’, 23

“I admire my father, Joseph Ochieng', deeply. Throughout my life, he has been a constant source of love, strength and support. He has shown up not only as a parent but also as a friend, mentor and biggest cheerleader.

“My dad took on his responsibilities of raising and educating me and my siblings with unwavering dedication, ensuring I was never sent home for school fees. His efforts gave me the peace of mind to focus on my studies.

“One of the most special things he did was rewarding my stellar performance with school trips. These moments were not just about fun; they were his way of showing me that hard work matters and that he believed in my potential.

“But life was not always smooth. During my final year at university, I failed to make it to the graduation list. I was frustrated and broken. I feared telling him, convinced he would be so angry.

“I later mustered the courage to approach him and, to my surprise, he responded not with anger but with understanding and love. In that moment, he became not just a father but a true dad. He listened to me and said something I will never forget—words I want to hold onto if I become a parent too: ‘Failure can happen to anyone and no one is immune to it. What matters is how we rise after falling.’

“At that moment, he taught me that his love was never tied to my performance—it was unconditional. His words still guide me today.

“Thank you for every word of motivation and every quiet act of love and support. I am who I am today because of you.

“Happy Father's Day!”

The sound engineer's daughter

Shekinah Kigame, 31

“I'm proud and honoured to come from a family where my father has always supported and promoted gender equality—not just in our home, but beyond.

“He has never drawn a line between sons and daughters. As his daughter, I have seen him go above and beyond to ensure girls get access to education. He paid school fees not only for us, his children, but also for many other girls in our community. He strongly believes that educating a girl goes beyond the classroom—it's about empowering her in all aspects of life.

“I remember being a little girl and watching him set up sound systems. Instead of sending me away, he would teach me how to connect audio-visual cables, set up microphones, and even change light bulbs. He made me believe that there was nothing a girl couldn't learn or do.

“He is a father, a mentor and a teacher with unique talents and abilities. I always admire his love for music and advocacy for the less fortunate in society. He is always passionate about equality in life; he hates depriving the meek.

Read: Mantalk: Does Kenya have a fatherhood crisis?

“My father has also been active in politics, and I've witnessed him push for the inclusion of women in his teams and decision-making processes. He believes women deserve a seat at every table.

“When it comes to economic empowerment, he is my biggest supporter. From the very beginning, he has encouraged me to pursue business and has been present and involved in helping me build. His belief in my ability as a woman to succeed financially is unshakeable.

“Because of him, I stand confident, empowered, and passionate about creating spaces where women can thrive.

“My dad is my hero; I love him the way he is.

“Happy Father's Day, Dad.”

The village hero who cooks

Chester Imara, 13 years – Grade Seven pupil, Xaverian Primary School, Kisumu

“I want to appreciate my dad, Victor Raballa, for being a true example of fairness and strength in our family, home and community.

“What I admire most about my father is how he treats my mother, sister and me equally. He makes sure we both go to school and encourages my sister to dream big. When she said she wanted to become an aeronautical engineer, he was the first person to support her.

“He also volunteers at a local school to mentor young girls, telling them they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves.

“My dad also speaks out during village meetings. One day, I heard him telling the elders that girls should never be forced into marriage and that everyone should speak up when they see such things happening. Some people didn't agree, but he stood firm. That made me so proud.

Read: Reflections on fatherhood: I wish I was poor...but with lots of money

“He also helps children who are less fortunate in our community by paying their school fees. He often says that everyone deserves the right to education.

“At home, he shows me how to be respectful and caring. He cooks with us sometimes, and he says real men share responsibilities.

“My father inspires me to grow into a man who respects women and treats everyone equally. I thank God for giving me a dad who is not just my hero, but a hero to others too.”

From GSU officer to full-time father

Abishag Jelagat, 14

“My father has always been my hero, especially when he resigned from the paramilitary as a General Service Unit (GSU) officer to join my mother in bringing us up.

“Since my father left the military, I have always enjoyed fatherly love whenever I am at home during school holidays, and the rest of the time I am with him.

“He has given my education priority. There has not been a day since I joined school that I have ever been sent home for school fees. I love him because he has given my education first priority by ensuring that he takes us to a school that offers quality education.

“When it comes to helping needy people, he is the best. I always see him paying school fees for our distant relatives and even orphans in our rural home in Baringo.

“My father has maintained his respect by avoiding politics where politicians speak badly. I respect him for that because he does not like divisive politics.

“I consider my father the best leader I have ever seen, mobilising people on our estate to develop and refurbish roads. The fact that people allow him to spearhead community projects confirms that he is a leader in the making. There is a road in our village named after him due to his effort in constructing that particular road. The road is called Moimet Road.

“My father is helping girls in our rural home to acquire an education by participating in fundraising to raise money to pay school fees for needy girls and even boys.

“In terms of supporting women, he supported Mum in establishing income-generating projects that help various women's groups.

“He hates alcohol and drug abuse, and he has helped in fighting against establishing bars near schools. I remember him helping in closing a bar that was close to one of the schools on our estate.”

The chess champion's biggest supporter

Elizabeth Cassidy, 14, Student at Kitale Progressive Comprehensive School and player for KCB Chess Club

“My father has always been deeply committed to my education. He believes that every girl should be given a chance to study, grow, and succeed—both in school and outside school.

“Through the Competency-Based Education, we are encouraged to develop academically and in our talents. My talent is chess.

“My dad struggles to pay my school fees on time, no matter what. He believes a good education is the key to a great future and is determined to give me that chance.

“His support does not stop at school. Chess is not only a game to me—it's my passion. Too many still perceive chess as a boys' sport, but my dad does not think that way. He introduced me to chess and has been there for me, cheering for me, investing in me, and believing in me.

“My dad makes sure I have whatever I need to succeed. He arranges for me to have coaching, pays for my training and tournament fees, and motivates me to practise as well. When it gets tough, he reminds me that I can do it, and that keeps me going.

“Thanks to his sacrifice and encouragement, I've represented Kenya in national and international chess championships—an honour I'm thankful for. More than that, through his love and support, he shows that girls deserve equal chances to shine.

“Thanks to my father, I am not just developing as a student, but as a competitor, leader, and chess champion.

“My father calls me his champion—but to me, he's the true one. He is a genuine champion of education, ability, and gender equity.”

The teacher turned political kingmaker

Dorcas Mlughu, Rong'e MCA, Taita Taveta

“My father, Kepha Mlughu, has been the cornerstone of my success—and a pillar of our community.

“He has always championed the causes of education and gender equality with unwavering dedication. A retired teacher, his belief that no child should be denied the right to learn has defined not only our family's story but also left a lasting legacy throughout our village.

“As a teacher, and later a headteacher, he was a strict disciplinarian, committed to excellence. Every school he served thrived on his leadership, no matter the challenges he faced.

“At home, education was non-negotiable. He firmly held that no one under his roof would go without schooling—and that is why I am where I am today. His insistence on the value of learning shaped my life's path.

“His support for women's leadership has always stood out. When I made the decision to vie for a political seat, he offered his full support without hesitation. He not only encouraged me—he actively campaigned for me in the village, advised me, and even contributed his own resources to bolster my journey. His belief in the capability of women to lead is genuine and resolute. He often says, ‘Where women lead, there is progress.’

“To this day, he continues to guide me, reminding me to stay true to my principles and to speak out against injustice. From him, I draw the strength to stand firm against corruption and to advocate for equity and fairness.

“I've lost count of the number of children whose school fees he has paid—some he knew personally, others he helped simply out of conviction. He believes education is the key to success and that an educated person contributes more meaningfully to their community. Our village deeply admires him for his enduring contribution to learning and empowerment.

“As we celebrate Father's Day, I am immensely proud to call him my father. I pray that he lives long enough to witness the success of all those he has uplifted—and to see the fulfilment of the values he has spent his life fighting for.”

Future doctor and her greatest supporter in pursuit of dream

Miriam Mukuhi, 13, Grade Seven pupil at St Peter's Girls' Comprehensive School in Elburgon, Nakuru

“‘Never do anything without a plan if you want to succeed in life.’ These are the words my father, Paul Mbugua, constantly reminds me of, and they've shaped how I approach everything—from my daily studies to my dream of becoming a professional doctor.

“As the last-born child in our family, I've watched my father pour his heart into ensuring I never miss school due to unpaid fees, that I receive medical care when necessary, and that I always have his moral support. But his guidance goes far beyond financial provision.

“Being a girl child comes with unique challenges, and I thank my father because he takes control when I go wrong, especially when he notices that the peer group I move around with could mislead me and lead me to an unsuccessful life. He protects me from influences that could derail my dreams, always steering me back towards my goals.

“Following his advice about planning, I now have my personal timetable for everything I do. His insistence on structure and discipline has taught me that success doesn't happen by accident—it requires intentional effort and careful planning.  “My father encourages and motivates me constantly, especially by urging me to work hard in school so I can pursue my medical dreams. He has never lost hope in me, and I promise that I will not let him down.

“As I grow up, I will make sure that I follow in the footsteps of my dad and adhere to his advice.

“As men celebrate this year's Father's Day, I give honour to my dad as the best father in my life.

“Best of luck, Dad!"

Beach walks and bull stories

Jadean Ndau, 14, Grade Nine, Fairfield Academy, Mombasa

“My dad, Comba Wa Ndau, has taught me the value of friendship.

“There are countless things I love about my dad, but a few truly stand out. Since I was little, he would often take my sister and me to the beach—to enjoy the breeze, walk barefoot on the sand, and, on many occasions, swim. It became one of my favourite pastimes—revelling in the beach's beauty—and it's something that has stuck with me ever since.

“On days when he was late from work and could not take us out—what my mum would call ‘business meetings’—I would sit quietly, longing for him to be home. But, to his credit, he also taught me how to enjoy my own company. He bought me puzzles, colouring books, and art supplies, which kept me occupied for hours. He even encouraged me to invite friends over to play, and on other days, I would join children on the estate. Looking back, those moments helped me build friendships and learn how to spend my time meaningfully.

“Dad also loves to tell us stories about his childhood in Kirinyaga County. I will admit—some of them sound a bit exaggerated, but they are always entertaining. Before our last visit to our grandmother's home in Kirinyaga, he told us how he once fought a bull in the compound and lifted it by the horns. Inspired, I tried the same—only to end up dashing for safety as the bull nearly lifted me instead.

“This Father's Day, I find myself reflecting on the moments we have shared and the lessons he has instilled in me—to stand up for myself, to treasure my friendships with family and others, and above all, to be kind.

“Thank you, Dad.”

The legacy continues

These nine voices—spanning ages 13 to 31, from students to politicians—paint a picture of Kenyan fathers who have refused to accept the limitations society places on their children. They are the fathers who teach daughters to handle power tools, who campaign for their children's political ambitions, who resign from prestigious careers to be present for school holidays.

As we celebrate Father's Day this Sunday, we honour both the fathers who are here and those who are grieving. For every Meshack Ojwang' facing an empty chair at the dinner table, there are countless fathers whose love continues to light the way forward. Their quiet revolutions—in village meetings and chess clubs, in parliaments and on construction sites—are building the Kenya they dreamed their children would inherit.

The conversation about fathers and children in Kenya cannot be separated from the conversation about justice and equality. These nine testimonies prove that the best fathers don't just raise children—they raise citizens who will demand better for the next generation.

Today, we celebrate the fathers who have shaped us. Tomorrow, we continue building the Kenya they taught us to believe in.

---

PS:Albert Ojwang’ was arrested on June 7, 2025, transferred from Homa Bay to Nairobi's Central Police Station, and found dead in his cell on June 8. Several officers on duty that night have been interdicted pending investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. He was the family's only son. He, too, was a father of one.

By Titus Ominde, Angeline Ochieng', Evans Jaola, Brian Ocharo, Lucy Mkanyika, Moraa Obiria and John Njoroge.