For My Future I Toil

A personal tribute to my uncle, mentor, and family pillar — 25 years gone, never forgotten.

Let’s go back… mid-90s.

Uncle Gakuo. His white pick-up truck.
All of us. Our mums. Our huge bags — bigger than some of us.

Nduta Gakuo, Cira Gakuo, Shiku Gakuo, Shiku Kariru, Waithera Marua (big), Waithera Marua (small), Wambui Njung’e, Shiku Mworia, Minneh Njoroge…
And of course me — the ‘last’ born of the pack.

Those registration numbers on the truck — to this day, I hear “709” and I feel nine years old all over again.

Boarding school in an Assumption Sisters hostel was no joke.
Oh my… Sr. Mbatha.

Madaraka Primary School, Thika — top-performing.
For My Future I Toil. That was the motto. And indeed, my mother’s brother wanted only the best for us.

25 years on.
His candle still burns brightly in my heart.
His love for extended family, those lively get-togethers — all gone with him.
I often imagine him and Mum, taking tea outside under our avocado tree.

Whenever I think of my education, Uncle Gakuo is always top of mind.
How he tutored me after I failed the entry-level interview. I cried all the way home.
I remember him saying, “You can do it. You’ll never fail again.”
And true to his words — I never failed an exam again.

I still see his white pick-up in my memories and hear his voice in my victories.
He believed in me before I believed in myself.

He loved family deeply. He was the pillar of all his siblings.
He left too soon. Way too soon.

So much potential in him. So much kindness, leadership, love to give.
He was the first close family member I ever lost — and it hurt like hell.
I was quite young, but I truly questioned God. My heart ached for the longest time.

I worried for my mum — she was so close to him.
She was left with a dent that was unimaginable.
My heart bled for my grandma… my cousins… his wife… his other siblings.
He was such a loved soul.

Some days were easier than others.
Now I just remember him fondly — and thank God for his good deeds.

This one’s for you, Uncle.
Always remembered.
Forever missed.