Abel Mutua Opens Up on Wedding Tears, Mother’s Death, and Rise as Kenya’s Storyteller

Abel Mutua, known to his devoted fanbase as "Mkurugenzi", is nearing a decade of marriage to his wife, Judy Nyawira, and reflecting on 16 years of partnership. 

Mutua's ascent from a budding actor on the popular television series Tahidi High to a celebrated national storyteller is not just a career trajectory, but a narrative deeply rooted in resilience, emotional honesty, and unwavering family devotion. His story exemplifies the very qualities that have solidified his reputation as a leading artistic voice: vulnerability, humour, and a sharp understanding of life's unpredictable turns.

Mutua's early fame, achieved during his college years, saw Judy remain indifferent to his celebrity. This was a stark contrast to the attention Mutua began to attract. Her lack of interest in television culture portrayed her as different from anyone he had encountered before. The initial stages of their relationship unfolded amidst challenging circumstances. Nyawira was then involved with a possessive and potentially violent partner. 

Mutua recounts instances where their interactions would trigger aggressive responses from Nyawira's then-boyfriend, who had even gone so far as to plant informants within the university campus. Mutua confronted Nyawira, presenting her with a clear choice: her current situation or a potential future with him. She requested time to consider the decision. Days later, she sent a text message saying, "We’ve sorted things out.” 

Mutua emotionally disengaged and blocked her. This silence continued until Nyawira returned, affirming her decision to choose Mutua, who has remained by her side ever since. Today, Nyawira is more than just a spouse. She serves as a content creator and also manages Mutua’s career. 

Their marriage, which was celebrated with a traditional white wedding, initially began with far more modest intentions. Originally, the couple planned a civil ceremony followed by a small gathering, they pivoted when Nyawira’s friends convinced her to embrace a more elaborate celebration. Mutua, frank about the financial implications of this decision, recalls needing to gather resources from well-wishers. 

"We hadn’t budgeted for it," he admits. He later confessed to destroying the wedding DVD, not out of embarrassment, but due to the emotional weight it carried. "I cried that day," Mutua said, noting that he has only wept on two occasions: during his wedding and upon losing his mother in 2009.

His mother's death remains a significant and painful event in Mutua’s life. She did not live to see his wedding or meet his daughter, but she was present during a crucial moment in his career: the finals of NTV’s Top Comic competition. Mutua recalls asking his mother what they would do with the grand prize, a pick-up truck, if he were to win. In her reply, she expressed her desire to use it to transport newly acquired couches. However, when asked if she wished her son to be victorious, she instead endorsed fellow contestant Geoffrey Oyoo. 

"He’s raw, real, and funnier than you," she told him, albeit with motherly affection.

Looking back, Mutua expresses no regret in losing to Oyoo. He even credits Oyoo for the positive changes he experienced in his life. At the height of the competition, Oyoo made a surprising pledge: if he won, he would gift each finalist KSh100,000. This gesture was rooted in camaraderie, as Oyoo’s own brother and mother were both hospitalised at the time. Oyoo won the competition and fulfilled his promise, only to suffer another personal tragedy moments later—his brother passed away shortly after the announcement. 

Known for selling out theatres and captivating audiences with stories drawn from everyday experiences, Mutua approaches his own life with the same careful narrative consideration. Whether recounting early romantic missteps or reliving the grief of losing his mother, he maintains an openness that is increasingly rare in celebrity culture.