Auntie Jemimah opens up about battling drug addiction in high school

Kenyan comedian Auntie Jemimah recently opened up about her challenging high school journey and drug addiction during an interview with Dr. Ofweneke.

She revealed that she attended four different high schools before finally completing her education. Her academic path was far from smooth, with each transfer marking a significant moment in her life.

Jemimah began her high school education at Kijabe Girls, where she studied until Form 2. However, her time there was cut short when she was suspended after running away from school in protest of not being made the games captain.

After leaving Kijabe Girls, she transferred to St. Martin’s Kangemi. Unfortunately, the freedom she found there led to her developing a drug addiction, resulting to her expulsion after two terms.

Her next stop was Steph Joy, where she stayed for three days because she was still battling with her active addiction. Realizing she needed help, Jemimah eventually went to rehab for three months.

The mother of one shared that her family raised money for her rehab when her addiction became severe.

After her rehabilitation, she returned to school and finally completed her studies in 2008.

Comedy and Creativity

Despite the turbulence in her academic life, Auntie Jemimah didn’t discover her passion for comedy until later in life.

While in high school, Auntie Jemimah focused on drama rather than comedy. Although she studied accounting, her true passion was theater arts.

However, her parents didn’t see theater as a viable profession. It wasn’t until 2016 that she finally began pursuing comedy professionally, a decision that eventually led her to become a beloved figure in the Kenyan entertainment industry.

The Joys of Motherhood

During the interview, Auntie Jemimah also spoke about her experiences as a mother, describing the journey as “amazing and beautiful.”

When asked how motherhood has impacted her, she emphasized the profound changes it brings to a woman’s life. She mentioned that being a mother not only transforms a person mentally and physically but also instills a deeper sense of respect and patience for others.

“If I were asked, I would advise every woman to give birth at least once,” Jemimah said, highlighting the fulfillment she has found in motherhood.

Lessons from Her Own Mother

Reflecting on what she has learned from her own mother, Auntie Jemimah shared that being supportive is a key quality she has inherited.

Although her daughter is only one year and eight months old, Jemimah already strives to be a supportive mother, just like her own. She believes that this quality will continue to shape her parenting as her daughter grows.