Tragic Reason Behind Kennedy Rapudo’s Father’s Suicide
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on February 5, 2025
Amber ray’s husband, Kennedy Rapudo recently shared his deeply personal journey of grief and resilience, shedding light on how his past struggles have shaped him as a father and partner.
Growing Up Without a Father
In a candid conversation with Dr. Ofweneke, Rapudo recalled how his parents separated when he was just six years old, leaving him with a fractured relationship with his father. Attending school events without a father figure took a toll on his emotional well-being.
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“As a boy, you look up to your father, and when you don’t see him at school events while others have their dads, it really affects you. It stayed with me for a long time, even into my upper primary years,” he shared.
He finally reunited with his father in high school, following his mother’s passing, but the encounter was bittersweet.
“When we met, I felt betrayed. He had been alive all along, but he never looked for me. By the time I reconnected with him in Form Two, my mother had already passed, so his presence didn’t change much for me,” he said.
Unfortunately, their time together was short-lived, as his father died by suicide shortly after their reunion.
“We met briefly, had a conversation, and I went back to school. Since I was studying in Migori County, I had no way of receiving news at the time. It wasn’t until we closed school that I found out he had passed. I never attended his funeral, but I later visited his grave. I didn’t grieve or cry because, to me, there was nothing left to grieve.”
Coping with Family Losses
While losing his parents was painful, it was the death of his brother that affected him the most.
“I learned to cope with pain. My mother passed, then my father died by suicide while struggling with things he never shared with me. But when my brother died years later, that’s when everything hit me. I had always been strong, but his death broke me, forcing me to finally confront my past and accept it for what it was.”
Rapudo also revealed that his only surviving maternal relative is his elder sister, from whom he was separated after their mother’s passing. His relationship with his paternal relatives remains distant.
“My sister and I were separated because I had to leave home in search of greener pastures. She was still a child at the time, living with our grandmother. We keep in touch as much as possible. On my paternal side, I have many relatives, but things are what they are.”
Lessons from His Past & Fatherhood
Despite his painful past, Rapudo has used his experiences as motivation to build a better life for his children.
“I’ve experienced both poverty and wealth, and that has driven me to work hard.”
One of the biggest lessons he has taken away is the importance of being present in his children’s lives.
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“I vowed to always be there for my kids, no matter what. Whether or not I’m with their mother, I will remain an active father because I understand how much an absent father can impact a child’s life.”
Blended Family with Amber Ray
Rapudo is currently in a relationship with businesswoman Faith Makau, popularly known as Amber Ray. Together, they have a blended family of four children—one from Amber’s previous marriage, two from Rapudo’s past relationships, and their youngest child together.
His commitment to providing a stable and loving home for his children is a testament to his determination to break the cycle of absentee fatherhood and ensure his children receive the love and support he longed for growing up.
