Murang’a county, a grand celebration marked a remarkable milestone: Mungai Ndang’ang’i and Elizabeth Wothaya, a couple in their 90s, celebrated 75 years of marital bliss. This joyous occasion was held at the Ndang’ang’i family home, filled with music, laughter, and heartfelt tributes from family and friends.
The celebration was a vivid testament to enduring love. Mungai, 96, and Elizabeth, 94, entertained their guests by walking hand in hand and singing along to familiar tunes. A specially designed cake, symbolizing the passage of time and the sweetness of a lifelong union, marked their 75th anniversary. Their story began in 1949, a time when phones were a distant dream, and communication relied on face-to-face meetings, handwritten letters, or messages delivered through trusted friends.
Despite the challenges of an era without modern conveniences, their love flourished. Their first child was born in 1950, and over the years, their family grew to include nine children. Mungai attributes the success of their long-lasting marriage to respect and endurance. Reflecting on their journey, he likened marriage to a wheel: “It keeps turning, and sometimes the road is rough and bumpy, and sometimes it is smooth. If you want to move, it has to turn, and you know how the road is, not smooth always, but you have to move.”
Elizabeth emphasized the importance of forgiveness, understanding, and endurance in marriage. “Everybody makes mistakes in marriage,” she said. “But you don’t punish all the mistakes; most of the time, you forgive.” She cautioned against the damaging effects of external gossip, advising that reacting to negative comments about one’s spouse can lead to the downfall of a marriage. “Some people will tell you how your man or your wife is behaving, but if you react to these gossips, your marriage will go nowhere,” she advised.
Their advice to newlyweds is to focus on building a strong family foundation rather than prioritizing material wealth. “It is not all about money; it’s about family. If you say it’s about money, what happens when you lose the money that you had? Focus on building what is around you; money will come,” they highlighted.
Their children shared touching memories and notes about the couple’s relationship. Ndung’u Mungai, their son, recalled growing up in a household where conflict was virtually unheard of. “I am approaching 70, and I have never seen them fight or disagree in front of us. They have taught us respect,” he said.
Joe Mungai, an educationist and unionist, expressed gratitude for witnessing his parents’ 75th wedding anniversary. He highlighted his father’s commitment to education, noting that Mungai valued it above all else and supported his children’s academic pursuits wholeheartedly. “I know my dad as a guy who loved to see his children excel in school, while my mum was and still is very spiritual,” said Joe, the youngest of the couple’s children.
Christine Ngigi, wife to Joe Mungai, credited the couple with providing invaluable marital guidance. “If it were not for them, I don’t think I could be here,” she said. “Marriage is not always straight, and if you don’t have someone who can guide you, it can collapse.”
Mungai Ndang’ang’i, who retired as an administrator, and Elizabeth Wothaya have set an example of enduring love. Their strong foundation of mutual respect, understanding, and commitment has weathered the tests of time, inspiring their family and community. As they celebrated their 75th anniversary, they reminded everyone that true love, respect, and a focus on family are the cornerstones of a lasting marriage.
