Kenyan artist Bahati has opened up on how the death of his brother Charles affected him.
He says he regrets not supporting his brother at a time when he was battling alcoholism.
Sharing his story on Diana Marua's YouTube Channel, the father of four shared
" Charles was the fourth born in our family.
I have other brothers, namely Ndirangu and Kioko, I also have a sister.
Charles died at Mbagathi hospital after battling Diabetes."
Bahati says their mum dying while they were still young pushed the brothers to start hustling early. Life's pressure led Charles to immerse himself in alcohol.
"My mum passed away while we were in Mathare.
When my mum passed. We were trying to survive.
By the time we came to Nairobi, my brother started hustling and because of the pressure, he sought solace in alcohol.
He died at age 22. Trying to earn a living was hard on him. He was diagnosed with Diabetes."
Bahati says despite the diagnosis his brother continued to drink.
"My brother and I would fight a lot as he would still drink even after being diagnosed with Diabetes. I failed as a Christian because I used to judge him.
I wrote him off as a brother because I felt he was not living the life I would want.
I forgot that by loving this person I would bring healing and make them understand that alcohol can't solve things.
Maybe he drank because he felt like I was not supportive enough. By the time I started bonding with my brother and understanding we all need love, it was too late.
His health had deteriorated, he underwent surgery and after that, the bleeding never stopped."
Adding
"I have never been a friend of alcohol. I hate people that drink excessively."
Does he have any regrets?
"I regret not loving him enough to date. I would argue with my late brother over silly things.
What I have learned over time is to forgive easily."
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