Abel Mutua’s Strict Swahili Rule: Daughter Shares Childhood Memory
Abel Mutua’s daughter, Stephanie, better known by her nickname ‘Mumbus,’ recently revealed some interesting insights into her upbringing, specifically the lengths her father went to ensure she learned the national language, Kiswahili. The 13-year-old, who is a high schooler, made this revelation during a recent YouTube video she filmed with her parents. The video, titled ‘The Yes or No Challenge,’ involved a fun and lighthearted game where participants had to either answer questions with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or engage in a challenge. It was during this challenge that Mumbus shared the story of her father’s unusual approach to teaching her Kiswahili.
The conversation took a turn when Mumbus’ mother, Judy Nyawira—who is a rising content creator and talent manager—joined in to share her thoughts. Mumbus was asked to read out two sentences and determine which one was grammatically correct, which then led to a conversation about her childhood language habits. That’s when Mumbus casually dropped the bombshell, saying, “You know! Fun fact, during my early ages… early years, my dad used to punish me because I spoke English a lot.” She laughed as she recalled the strict rules enforced by her father, and she immediately turned to him for confirmation, asking, “Am I lying?”
With a chuckle, Abel Mutua, the veteran actor and well-known storyteller, agreed, confirming that it was true. He even laughed at the memory of how serious he had been about it. According to Mumbus, there was a very strict “no English” policy in their house, especially when it came to speaking with family members. “It was so serious! Like it was dhambi (a sin) in this household to speak English,” Mumbus explained with a playful but affectionate tone.
Her mother, Judy, quickly chimed in, adding, “By the way, it got to a point where daddy said you only speak English in school. When you come home, you only speak in Swahili.” Judy, while recognizing the strict nature of Abel’s rules, acknowledged the long-term benefits of this approach. She pointed out how it ultimately helped Mumbus become fluent in both Kiswahili and English, which she now appreciates in a variety of situations. “But you see how amazing it is because now you can speak both languages very fluently. Right? You see how it has come in handy in situations,” Judy said, praising her daughter’s language proficiency.
Abel, always the proud father, took the opportunity to defend his approach, explaining his reasoning behind enforcing such strict language rules. With a smile, he shared his belief that it’s almost “embarrassing” to live in a country and not speak its national language. “Imagine being Kenyan and not speaking the national language,” he said, still amused as he reflected on how he once enforced this policy.
Mumbus, on the other hand, laughed and defended herself by admitting, “I could… I could speak Swahili, I just didn’t use to converse in it frequently.” It was clear that, while she may have been resistant to the rule at the time, Mumbus now recognizes the wisdom in her father’s approach. The playful yet serious nature of their conversation reflected the close and supportive dynamic within the family, as they all fondly remembered those early years when language became a point of discipline.
The story of Abel’s “no English” rule provides a fascinating glimpse into his parenting style, as well as the value he places on cultural heritage and communication. The family’s candid conversation also highlights the unique balance between discipline and love that shaped Mumbus’ language skills and her understanding of the importance of both English and Kiswahili in her life. It’s a heartwarming example of how even the strictest rules, when carried out with love, can help a child grow into a well-rounded and culturally aware individual.
Now, as Mumbus is fluent in both languages, she can appreciate how her father’s seemingly extreme methods paid off. Today, she can effortlessly converse in both English and Kiswahili, making her a well-rounded communicator in a bilingual society. Despite the strictness of the rules in her early years, Mumbus is grateful for the lessons her parents instilled in her, and she recognizes how those childhood experiences have shaped her today.
