Njugush opens up about his difficult childhood and suicide attempt

Comedian Timothy Njugush Kimani, commonly known as Njugush, has shared the story of his challenging upbringing, revealing a difficult childhood despite his current success in the entertainment industry.

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Born 33 years ago, Njugush initially lacked the ability to speak due to a condition called ankyloglossia, where the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth by the frenulum. In his memoir, “Whispers from My Childhood: Through Thick and Thin,” Njugush explains that this condition raised concerns about his ability to develop speech and limited his opportunities. His mother noticed something was wrong when he was about a month old, as he didn’t cry like other infants. After three weeks of observations and tests at Meru County General Hospital, doctors diagnosed him as tongue-tied. A procedure was performed to correct the issue by releasing the frenulum.

This was just one of the many challenges Njugush faced growing up. He also struggled with emotional instability, which led him to attempt suicide in April 2005. Njugush describes feeling lonely and out of place after his family moved to Joska, Machakos County, leaving him behind in the village to stay with his aunt while he finished school. He expressed uncertainty about his motivations at the time, questioning whether he was overwhelmed by the rapid changes in his life or if it was a symptom of melancholy.

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Njugush also recounted his struggles with bedwetting during childhood. His mother addressed this issue with a reward system, giving sweets to the child who did not wet the bed—a system that motivated him and his brother to stay dry.

Despite these challenges, Njugush has become a prominent comedian in Kenya, earning significant income from ambassadorial and brand deals. His success is so notable that even President William Ruto once joked that Njugush and fellow comedian Butita earn more than he does.