I met Marian in 2005 while we joined College and registered for the same course, BSc. Ornamental Science and Landscaping. After several months, Marian approached one day I towards the end of the first semester with a particular need that culminated to us working more closely in a study group and ultimately knowing each other to becoming greatest of friends.
Marian had a clear mission in my life; to impact people lives positively, help them grow their Christian lives and be successful. She would look at a person’s strength, harness it to improve herself, identify your weakness and equally help you improve in life. My story on how I related with Marian was not any different, and it remained consistent up to the last moment. This would best be captured in a number of instances and incidences.
Marian discovered a unique thing in me that no one ever mentioned about it in life. She likened me to Albert Einstein, the great scientist. She thought I had unique kind of potential, which if fanned would make me great in life. Marian called and made all other collegemates call me Einstein. Ordinarily, a person fails to appreciate others in life, set himself at competition with them as adversaries while he would rather embrace them for his own success. Marian was contrary, she was full of positive energy.
In our second year in college, and while it was apparent that at end of the third year, we would be required to form groups for a joint research project, Marian approached me and said, “Einstein, I would like you to be in my group. Allow me time to identify that other person that we must work with”. After a month or so, he told me that he had handpicked a Vincent Andenga, why? She said Andenga was hardworking and she believed that having him in our group, would only make us the best in class. If you asked me, perhaps I would have had my own misgivings, but I chose to believe her. Three semesters down the line, we graduated in 2009 July with 5 strong A’s in the research project course unit. Today if you asked me how we did it, I would tell you it’s mysterious because I only mastered certain parts that were assigned to me in the teamwork, most especially the computer aided design. Andenga would probably say them same, he had intensive contributions in hand design; but for Marian; a true team leader and worker, she coordinated every bit. Mastered everything and made us the pride of our class. Today the botanic garden currently lying at JKUAT was conceived by Marian, and proposed in our research albeit for a different site. Our lead supervisor, Prof. JB believed we should have escalated the idea further for implementation, although we’re glad someone completed it.
There’re several instances I would mention on how Marian made me become a person with high self-esteem, made me become a better Christian through preaching and dragging for bible study every Tuesday evening, made meals in her room and packed for me…but I choose to remember two most memorable instances that will live in me forever…

One time and several months before my birthday, Marian asked me when my birthday was. To me, this appeared like a general question in a normal conversation. I never knew what the meaning of birthdays was. In 2006, 24th March evening (about 8pm) while in the hostel, Marian stormed into my room along with other classmate singing birthday songs…never before in my lifetime of 20 years plus had anyone celebrated my birthday. As youngsters would always do…I was drowned in cold water before being showered with presents. From then hence forth and in a bid express my gratitude, I have invariably called or texted Marian every 3rd of June, to wish her a happy birthday.
One time while on a three-night class trip to Mombasa, I could not afford accommodation. While my colleagues went to spend in hotels and others with relatives, I chose to sleep in the bus for 2 nights. I became the laughing stock of my class. The last night, Marian took me with another class mate (Patrick Kaibere) to spent at her aunt’s place. That was the only night I had a decent meal, sleep and bath.
The story of Marian’s kindness is infinite. If there’s one person Marian touched and transformed to be a better person in life it’s me. She referred to me as her son and I called her mum. The time and moments I shared with Marian are just inexplicable. I will perpetually remain gratified that God brought Marian to my life. I am most especially grateful that even after college we remained close and consulted each other on a number of things. In 2014, when I needed to get married and wanted to have a friend accompany me to my laws to say I was interested in their girl, Marian was so gracious to go with me to Naivasha and assure the in laws that Einstein was the right person for their daughter.
In the end of 2021, I met Marian with Alex (for the third time for Alex) and spent quite sometime with her, for what I now believe was God’s moment. We shared a couple of things, and I encouraged her that the impending procedure would be success. She looked optimistic and positive in life. I shared with her a dream I had had in late 2020 about her in which I had seen her in a devastating situation, but she told me… “Einstein, my condition is not life threatening, I have been reassured the same by the medical doctors” …I followed up with her progress and the last I communicated with her was in 4th January 2022.
For, me Marian is not and will never die. Marian is immortal; in her own words, and as big admirer of Mahatma Gandhi she was, Marian’s life is her message. She lived for others, friend and her family. Marian will live on and on if we choose to remember that beautiful girl who encouraged us to be strong, trust in God more and love one another.
To Alex, thank you for being there for Marian. You were the perfect match she needed to accomplish her dreams in life. I promise that I’ll be a close friend to you, just like Marian was to me.

We loved you Marian, and we know you loved us too.