The TikTok community is in mourning following news that Immaculate Irungu, a popular creator known as Maribel 23, has died.
The devastating news was broken by Lady Jacqulyn, a close family friend.
Jacqulyn said she learnt of Maribel’s death from a family source, who linked her death to an alleged suicide.
Her demise has since ignited a fierce national conversation regarding mental health and the systemic failures facing those struggling with psychological conditions.
Irungu, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018, was known for documenting her “manic highs” and devastating lows with unflinching honesty.
Reports indicate that Maribel, the lady who was a mental health advocate and who suffered bipolar syndrome, has passed on. May she RIP.?️ pic.twitter.com/PAupEeheFO
— George T. Diano (@georgediano) May 13, 2026
She often used her platform to highlight how her condition fueled both her creative energy and her most difficult moments.
“I’m not crazy, I’m surviving,” she once told her audience while discussing the childhood trauma that had followed her into adulthood. Her history included six previous suicide attempts, and she frequently described her content as a battle cry against a society that ignores mental illness.
She first rose to prominence during the 2024 protests, gaining a massive following for her viral clips that called out exploitative landlords and unsupportive relatives.
However, behind the viral fame, she faced personal crises including homelessness and family isolation.
“Damn! Maribel passed on. This life can really be a prison man,” posted @MainNeli_ as news of her passing spread.
Another follower, @Gina Manowari, echoed the sentiment of many who felt her loss deeply. “If you’ve never struggled with mental health, you won’t understand Maribel,” she wrote. “Rest well baby girl.”
The loss comes during Mental Awareness Month, a time dedicated to fighting the very stigma Irungu fought against.
She often spoke out against the cultural tendency to label mental illness as a personal weakness or even witchcraft rather than a medical reality.
Friends have remembered Irungu for her infectious laugh and her talent for poetry.
Research from KEMRI emphasizes that mental health advocacy has provided various tools for public implementation, yet challenges remain.
World over, health experts continue to stress the importance of fundamental self-care, such as maintaining healthy sleep patterns and spending time in nature to alleviate anxiety.
While these habits are supportive, they remind the public that professional medical intervention is often necessary.