Stronger Than Ever

Crippling postpartum depression, wild partying days, public outbursts, her second pregnancy … Nairobi’s on-screen sweetheart Lillian Muli opens up about motherhood: the mistakes she made, and the lessons learned.

- Cate Odera

TV news anchor Lillian Muli doesn’t so much walk as waddle into the Chop House restaurant at Radisson Blu for our lunchtime rendezvous. Her baby bump is covered by a simple knee-length navy shift dress, and she is wearing sensible black flatties. Her hair is styled in her signature long waves with bangs. She is stunning, and when waiters hover and patrons wave, her smile lights up the room.

She offers a warm hug before she settles into her chair. ‘The rain can sometimes throw you off schedule,’ she begins, then says she can’t wait to eat. We go over to the buffet where she fills her plate with chicken curry, naan bread, coconut rice and assorted salads. ‘Red meat doesn’t sit well in my stomach with this pregnancy. I used to get so nauseated so I gave it up altogether.’

As we settle back in our chairs with our food, Lillian opens up about being a second-time mum.

‘It feels like I have been pregnant for a year even though I am only 25 weeks along. I am due in July and that sounds too far out. Everything is on pause. I don’t have the energy to do the things I normally do. When I was younger,’ she says in between mouthfuls. ‘You will have to excuse me, I eat very fast, but I am glad you seem to be keeping up,’ she apologises with a laugh.

Lillian has been the talk of town since her belly began to show. It started with rumours of who the father was and progressed to the sex of the baby. ‘Everyone has an opinion of my life, Cate. They all seem to think they know who Lillian Muli is – they would be so disappointed when they realise how simple my life really is!’