Citizen TV’s Machachari Show remains one of the best series that has ever aired on Kenyan televisions.

Many people grew up watching the weekly shenanigans of the main cast Baha, Govi, Stella, Millie, Almasi and Joy.

In September 2019, the media station cancelled further production of the show, an end that ended up paving the way forward for many of the actors.

Wanjiku Mburu portrayed the character of Mama Baha for 11 years.

“Even now I go to places and fans of the show still call me Mama Baha,” she cheerfully reminisces.

Mburu who had been hospitalised on September 4 revealed that she was much better and was already working on other projects including a feature film and a short film. On the winding down of the show, the actor disclosed that it did take a toll on her.

“Acting is not as easy as many people think it is. For 11 years I used to play the character of Mama Baha and when the show ended it took some time for me to adjust back to being me,” she explained.

The thespian explained that when acting, one becomes someone else and that affected her quality of life

“I went through a period of depression, I even had to work with a psychiatrist to help me navigate life after the show,” she stated.

In a bid to rediscover herself, Mburu embarked on rest and travelling while exploring new hobbies as well.

“It is a heavy task before you can actually get into the character, you have to do a lot of research as well as mental adjustment to get into the mind of the character,” she added.

A 2016 research by the University of Adelaide, Australia found that actors were highly vulnerable to depression and symptoms of anxiety.

“Their mental wellbeing is threatened in a range of ways, such as: a lack of autonomy in their profession, lack of control over their employment and general working environment, complex interpersonal relationships, a high level of self-criticism, a high level of criticism by family and friends for their choice of profession, and a heavy drinking culture.

“Actors also report experiencing vicarious trauma through their acting experiences – they are so emotionally, intellectually and physically engaged in their roles that it can be difficult to switch off. Some report having nightmares and intrusive thoughts related to their roles,” the lead researcher Alison Robb discovered in her thesis.

A number of Hollywood actors have gone public about the toll of taking on certain movie roles. American actress Anne Hathaway explained that her 2012 role as Fantine in Les Miserables impacted her health, physically, emotionally and mentally.

Even though she won an oscar for her performance, she at the time revealed that she had an identity crisis after the heart-wrenching role.

Mama Baha welcomes a baby boy

Wanjiku Mburu alias Mama Baha, a well-known Machachari actress, has given birth to her first child at the age of 39.

Wanjiku took to social media to share the good news, posting a photo of herself cradling her son.

In an earlier interview, the new mum said learning she was pregnant caught her by surprise.

“When I learnt I was pregnant, I was surprised because it’s been a while and I even had no thought of being pregnant.

I am born again, in 2018, I purposed to go away and pray about my life because spirituality is very important,” she said adding that at the end of her fasting and prayers, God told her he would give her children.

“A boy and a girl. I was like, okay, let me wait, two years later, I had not even found someone.”

She said that years later when she got a partner and learnt she was pregnant, she was still in doubt until her baby bump started showing.

“To tell you the truth, I was not convinced. It was a good surprise, I told God sorry for doubting.

I have been looking and I love children, I was dealing with children all along but not my own. I started acting with my young Milly at the age of 6 months. I have also been brought up in a family set up and children is something I wanted to have, but I said, in case I don’t have, it is still okay.”

She said she had not had issues with her pregnancy.

“I did not have shenanigans, just getting tired. I think I am okay. I do not have cravings because, the things I loved, I still love and eat them. We have chosen a name for our baby.”

Her message to all who are waiting for their blessings.

“Keep on praying and your time is coming. People have been sharing their stories and for sure, He is gonna fulfil the desires of our hearts.”