Video: Reverend Ambrose Nyangao recalls how he lost his firstborn daughter
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Reverend Ambrose Nyangao of Parklands Baptist Church shared the heartbreaking story of losing his firstborn daughter during a Christmas visit
- The toddler, aged 3 and a half, accidentally drank paraffin given to her by a house help who mistook it for water amid a Nairobi water shortage
- The little girl spent four days in the ICU before passing away, leaving the pastor and his wife devastated
Parklands Baptist Church senior pastor Reverend Ambrose Nyangao has opened up about one of the most painful seasons of his life, the loss of his firstborn daughter when she was just three and a half years old.
The video, shared by Reverend Carole Kiamah on TikTok on 22 August 2026 shows Nyangao recounting the tragedy in what appears to be an interview or panel setting, dressed in a dark blazer and light blue shirt, speaking calmly into a lapel microphone.
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A Christmas visit that turned tragic
The family had travelled to visit his sister-in-law over the Christmas period when Nairobi was experiencing a water shortage.
His young daughter, thirsty and looking for something to drink, was attended to by a house help. The next thing they knew, the house help came out in a panic, shouting that the little girl had swallowed paraffin.
The family rushed the child to hospital immediately, but her condition was critical. She was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she fought for her life for four days before she passed away.
Nyangao and his wife were left to grieve their firstborn child under circumstances no parent could ever prepare for.
The video quickly resonated with Kenyans, drawing thousands of views and a flood of emotional responses from people who either shared similar experiences or were simply moved by the pastor's raw honesty.
Watch Reverend Nyangao share his family's story in the video below:
Kenyans react with shock and empathy
The story struck a nerve online, with many viewers sharing their own encounters with paraffin accidents.
@Dido said:
"Paraffin has smell jamani 😨 😨 😨."
@sheshii said:
"I am so moved by this story. I also drank paraffin by mistake when I was 13 yrs old and survived. it was not a good experience at all."
@Gaudencia said:
"My nephew drunk it too and passed away; that's when I knew paraffin was dangerous."
@Kimila said:
"This made me tear up!"
@Gracie_N said:
"Me who serves as protocol, almost running to get water for mtumishi..."
@Gracy Michele said:
"🤩🤩🤩 Paraffin smells aki, unless she didn't have a sense of smell, what a sad story."
@A.K said:
"Thank you for sharing your journey as an encouragement to others. God grant you beauty for your ashes."
The responses reflect how deeply the story connected with viewers, many of whom were unaware of just how dangerous paraffin can be for young children, particularly when stored in containers that resemble those used for drinking water.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.