Elderly Sibia Mokaya Maoga who lives in Bosamaro moruga village in West Mugirango Constituency of Nyamira county has put her longevity down to a loving family, traditional food and herbal medicine plus happiness.
“Chenye unakula na venye unaishi ndio Maisha(What you eat and how your lifestyle is as a whole matters a lot),” she says.
Born in 1920(105years now), she reveals to famousnakuru.co.ke that she got married before the end of Mau Mau war.
She recalls that this was a time when the whites left Laikipia where she used to stay with them in early days.
In addition, she also recalls that she had 4 other sisters and one brother who have since died.
She is the only surviving child of Motari and Nyakerario from Nyambaria village where she grew as a child.
Shosho Mokaya narrates that her husband who was involved in Mau Mau had been arrested and she was left with pregnancy of 2 months.
When he came back from detention, he was told “the lady you left has given birth to a daughter.”
Famousnakuru.co.ke has learnt that her family used to stay at Nyambaria where they used to do millet farming.
It is said when the husband came he found that the child had grown teeth and it was a taboo for him to enter the house.
He had to participate in a ritual where a goat was slaughtered to allow him in the house.
Shosho adds that her husband died in 1992 when their lastborn child was 27 years old.
A mother of three daughters and 4 sons, is also blessed with several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren.
One of her sons Joash Momanyi commonly referred to in the village as ‘Mwalimu’, opines that Shosho’s longevity in life can be attributed to lifestyle.
According to him, shosho Mokaya has never been admitted to hospital as she relies on traditional medicines since she’ herbalist.
In addition, her food is basically natural incorporating what she terms as mboga kienyeji.
Sentiments echoed by her first-born daughter Joyce Nyaboke who added that in their upbringing, Shosho never visited a health facility.
Nyaboke recalls how they used to get traditional medication from her whenever they fell ill.
One of the Grandchildren Rebecca Mesa who talked to famousNakuru.co.ke during a visit to the shosho on April 26, 2025, revealed that shosho’s lifestyle is what has seen her through to 5th generation.
According to Rebecca, shosho Mokaya is currently being taken care of by a helper who is also a relative since March this year after death of the lastborn daughter who used to take care of her.
But one thing stands out about Shosho that despite her over 100 years in life, she can speak and hear very well well she continues to walk far and strong with her supportive walking stick.
Rebecca added that Shosho made a request that upon her death, her body should not be preserved in any mortuary but rather in her house and that the money that was to be used should instead be used to help celebrate her life.
This even, as Rebecca revealed that they are planning as grandchildren to organize her birthday this year as she marks over 100 years.
“When we see Shosho Mokaya, it gives us confidence that we can also live more years with a good lifestyle,” she says.
Shosho Mokaya’s wisdom is evident as Rebecca admits that she always gives them advice on life skills whenever they visit her, adding that they cannot even want to afford to lose her, but continue supporting her even at her elderly age through the numerous visits.
Sentiments echoed by Stellah Nyamisa who is also a grandchild.
She says that healthy living and spiritual nourishment is what has seen shosho live this long.
Last but not least, shosho Mokaya loves sweets and this the grandchildren understand better for whenever they visit her, they can’t miss taking hers some lollipops.
