Kenyans on TikTok are mourning the tragic loss of popular content creator Erykah, the 15-year-old sensation known for her infectious dance challenges and heartfelt skits, who took her own life on Monday evening, leaving a wave of heartbreak across the platform and sparking urgent calls for better mental health support among youth. TikTokers were shocked as the 15-year-old TikToker, Erykah, whose real name is Erykah Mwende Thyaka, decided to commit suicide due to mental issues.
The news broke late Monday when Erykah’s family confirmed the devastating incident in a brief statement shared on her official TikTok account. The teenager, whose real name was Erykah Mwens from a modest estate, had been a rising star since joining the app at age 13.
Her videos, blending gengetone beats with school-life humour and motivational quotes, often garnered millions of views and inspired countless duets from peers in Nairobi slums and campuses alike.
According to close friends who spoke to local media, Erykah had been struggling silently with bullying at her local high school and the pressures of online fame.
“She would laugh in the videos, but privately she confided in me about feeling overwhelmed by negative comments and expectations from strangers,” one childhood friend told bana.co.ke, her voice breaking. The family revealed that Erykah left a short note on her phone expressing exhaustion from “pretending to be strong every day”.
TikTok exploded with tributes almost immediately. “Erykah’s smile lit up our feeds, but it hid so much pain. This is a wake-up call for all of us,” a Tiktoker reacted to her death due to depression at a younger age.
The mourning extended beyond TikTok to X and Instagram, where Kenyan celebrities joined the chorus. Musician Sauti Sol’s Bien posted a black-and-white photo of Erykah from a recent collab, captioning it “Rest easy, little warrior. Your light will guide others now.”
Erykah’s final video, uploaded just 48 hours before her passing, showed her lip-syncing to a trending sound about “chasing dreams in the city”, racking up 1.7 million views. Fans now flood the comments with broken heart emojis, personal stories of their own struggles, and pleas for help hotlines.
“I was going through the same; your videos kept me going. Why didn’t I reach out?” one 16-year-old from Kitale commented, prompting dozens of replies offering support.
This tragedy marks the latest in a string of heartbreaking losses among Kenyan TikTokers, following the hit-and-run death of Brian Chira and the mysterious passing of comedian KK Mwenyewe.
Mental health advocates point to a toxic mix of factors: relentless online trolls, the pressure to produce viral content daily, and limited access to counselling in public schools. A 2024 study by the Kenya Youth Mental Health Network found that 42 percent of teens aged 13-17 reported depressive symptoms, with social media amplifying feelings of inadequacy.
“We cannot lose another child to silence,” a mental health official from the ministry of health said in a statement. Local TikTok’s team issued a condolence post, committing to enhanced suicide prevention tools like content flagging and resource links in Kenyan-language videos.
As vigils light up Kahawa West, with hundreds gathering at a makeshift memorial near Erykah’s home adorned with flowers and printed screenshots of her dances, the community reflects on a young life cut short.
Erykah’s family has requested privacy but plans a public funeral next weekend, where fans are invited to share stories of how she touched their lives. In a nation where youth drive digital culture, her story serves as a stark reminder: behind every filter and beat is a human heart that sometimes needs more than likes to heal. Kenyans on TikTok are not just mourning; they are mobilising, turning grief into a collective cry for change.
