Maverick Atieno begs Raila for forgiveness

Controversial blogger Maverick Aoko has apologized to opposition leader Raila Odinga and his family for her vulgar behavior towards them. She said she was sorry for insulting his children using their health problems and sexual identity.

“I made my breakthrough on Facebook. But Twitter built the Maverick brand I wasn’t. I’m not. And hasn’t been okay. Unpleasant to admit. (That) hasn’t always been the case. This is not the Aoko you knew. The Aoko that while at Nairobian, gave Njoki Chege hell, while she had a column at Nation and I Nairobian. This was not the anti-feminism girl that stole your attention. Njoki has since gone academic. I remain here on Twitter.

For some years, I have felt abandoned and misused by everyone. Like the world was closing on me and life was pulling the rug under my feet. You were seeing me but not hearing me. Didn’t you just read my (writings) and felt nuh, this isn’t our Aoko? I even asked for help publicly. I wrote on Twitter – please help me. I got insults instead I have 109k followers yet felt so lonely. And hollow. And helpless.

No one really wanted to interact with me without strings attached. I have State House contacts yet woke up crying, and sad. Dejected I couldn’t function sober. So I smoked, drank, and chipod stupid men. Do you know why I was struggling to keep alive? For my father. He’d die of heartbreak if anything happened to me. He loves me too much. (men) or gin. Couldn’t sleep without either. I burnt bridges for UDA. I even attacked Raila’s children. Who does that? Baba. I’m sorry!”

Aoko said she made the apology after a failed attempt to take her own life. She said she had been feeling abandoned and misused by everyone, and that she had been struggling to cope with her mental health.

She also said she had been feeling underpaid and overworked, and that she had been overlooked for opportunities because of her gender.

“I wake up. Cry on bad days. Watch documentaries on good days I can’t walk among my people (from her tribe). I am a pariah. I gave these (government) people my all. Risked my entire existence. I hear they now discuss me in airport lobbies. I’m here doing everything and anything to numb my pain. I’m the strongest woman there is out there. If you see me break down, nimefika mwisho (i am at the end of the road),

Aoko said she was taking a social media hiatus to heal and reflect, and that she intended on coming back stronger and better.

Here are some of the key points from the article:

• Maverick Aoko is a controversial blogger who has been known for her vulgar and bullish behavior.
• She has apologized to opposition leader Raila Odinga and his family for her insults towards them.
• Aoko said she made the apology after a failed attempt to take her own life.
• She said she had been feeling abandoned and misused by everyone, and that she had been struggling to cope with her mental health.
• She also said she had been feeling underpaid and overworked, and that she had been overlooked for opportunities because of her gender.
• Aoko said she was taking a social media hiatus to heal and reflect, and that she intended on coming back stronger and better.