Zubeidah Kananu's moving reason for shaving her 20-yr-old locks

Piece by: Maureen Waruinge

05 January 2023

• Its been more than a month since her mum was laid to rest.

• Zubeida is finding ways to heal.

Zubeidah Kananu has cut off her 20 year old locs. In a video at a salon, one can see the KTN TV news anchor looking in the mirror as the big chop happens.

The man cutting off the locs holds up the locs as she looks on, smiling,

"Zub, you can’t be serious, don’t cut your hair. It’s been almost 20 years, and this is how we know you 😃 well.

Yes, that’s the first reaction I got from the people that knew of the attachment I had with my hair when I finally decided to cut it.

It’s in good faith I know, but from this, comes a lesson about life. We are sometimes tempted to hold onto things we value the most and not want to let go."

Taking to her Instagram to tell about her decision, she revealed that it had something to do with her late mum.

"In this, I see me, it’s been more than a month since I lost my mum, I haven’t been able to let go, told myself that she’s still alive, and that’s what I still want to believe. It’s not right, I’ve been told, I should let her rest, I agree, but it’s not easy. I put on a brave face, but the pain I’m in is immense. She was not only my mum, but also my best friend, my confidant, my pillar, my birthday-mate, my everything."

The family is doing their best to heal. Her friends have reassured her that mourning and the journey of healing are slow.

"I know healing takes time, I won’t rush, I’ll take a day at a time and put my faith in God. My restorer, my redeemer, Abba father. He’ll get me out of this, that I know."

The mom of two was thrown into mourning in December 2022, when her mum passed on at the age of 60.

The journalist at the time announced that she had already been buried on December 3, 2022.

“On behalf of my family, I thank each one of you for standing with us during this difficult time. The pain we are in is so much to bear, but you’ve been our pillar of strength. It has been a tough journey but we are strong-willed because of the generosity, patience, love, and support you have offered.

We may not be able to thank each one of you personally but we pray that God gives you back tenfold all that you’ve invested in us. God bless you and your families. Much love,” said about family grief.