A resilient Kenyan woman, Cynthia Achieng Abok, has opened up about her heart-wrenching journey through life, marked by a staggering 12 failed marriages. In a candid and emotional interview with Citizen Digital, the 37-year-old recounted years of pain, abuse, and betrayal, but also held onto hope for a better future.
Abok, who originally hails from Kisumu and now lives in Nairobi, revealed that her early childhood was filled with instability and hardship. She entered her first marriage as a minor, seeking love, support, and safety—things she felt were absent from her home life.
“I didn’t come from a stable family,” she explained. “My parents separated when I was young. My mum remarried, and life with my dad was not easy. My siblings left, and when I tried to live with my mum, it was unbearable.”
Her difficult upbringing left her vulnerable to manipulation. With no strong parental guidance and driven by a desire to return to school and have a normal life, Cynthia said she often fell into the hands of older men who took advantage of her situation. Many were already married and used deceit to keep her hidden from their families.
“Most were married men. They would rent houses for me and keep me there to hide me from their wives and other drama,” she said. “I ended up with them because I was desperate, and I always fell for their lies that they would take me to school.”
One of the most traumatic experiences she described involved a 77-year-old pastor, who not only fathered one of her children but also subjected her to emotional neglect and abuse.
“He was married and took me to a different place from his main home,” she recalled. “He would visit me during the day. He never fulfilled any of his promises and sometimes even abused me. Our relationship had more downs than ups, but I chose to remain until his wife found out. I was chased away.”
Now a mother of three, Cynthia has had to fend for them through odd jobs, facing economic hardship while still dealing with the emotional trauma from years of abandonment, heartbreak, and manipulation. She admitted to turning to harmful coping mechanisms at times to numb the pain.
Despite all she has been through, Cynthia says she still believes in love. Her past may be filled with grief, but she hasn't given up on the idea that someone genuine might still come her way.
“Maybe God can bring a good person my way,” she said. “I would still accept love. For now, I may not be ready, but I haven’t shut the door to love.”
Her story has sparked a powerful response online, with many praising her strength and courage to speak out, while others expressed sadness over how vulnerable women are often exploited under the guise of care.
Watch the video below …
Shajara na Lulu:
Cynthia Achieng’ Abok aliachiwa ulezi wa watoto watatu. Alipata mtoto wa kwanza akiwa na umri wa miaka 14. Cynthia amewahi kuolewa mara kumi na mbili #SemaNaCitizen @LuluHassan pic.twitter.com/YN0GybebYt
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 25, 2025