Nairobi, Kenya – Popular dancer Collo Blue has opened up about the deeply personal experiences that pushed him to volunteer in a mortuary for five years, even as he pursued his artistic career.
Speaking during an interview on Sunday, January 25, 2026, Collo revealed that his decision was shaped by family tragedy and his desire to understand grief and mental health.
Family Trauma and Grief
Collo recounted how his mother suffered a severe mental and emotional collapse following the sudden death of her sister. Once the strongest figure in his life, she became disoriented, often waking up in the middle of the night to visit the morgue, unable to accept her sister’s passing.
He described how she fainted multiple times during the funeral, leaving the family struggling to cope with the overwhelming grief.
“For the past 5 years, unajua mimi sikuwa nalipwa nilikuwa volunteer. Yangu ilikua personal abit: when you go through grief as an individual, you will never see people grieve the same way,” Collo said.
Witnessing Grief Firsthand
Growing up in a supportive household, Collo said he had never seen his parents argue or experience such emotional turmoil. Witnessing his mother’s decline left a lasting impact and motivated him to study psychology after initially aspiring to become a neurosurgeon.
“After Kumaliza high nilikua nata kuwa neurosergeon so me niko na PTSD. I want to know what was happening in brain nika research and Nikasettle in psychology,” he explained.
Choosing the Mortuary
After completing his university studies, Collo faced difficult choices, including volunteering in a children’s home or prison. Ultimately, he chose the mortuary, believing it would allow him to help others confront grief directly and prevent children from experiencing the trauma he had witnessed.
“Kulikuwa na choise ya kuenda prison, children’s home and other place, but nikachoose mortuary because I would not want any person’s son to go through that,” he said.
Lessons from the Mortuary
During his five years of volunteering, Collo observed the rawest forms of human emotion, including depression, substance abuse, and destructive behaviours caused by unresolved grief.
He said the experience deepened his understanding of how loss affects the brain and reinforced the importance of mental health support and grief therapy.
Advocacy Through Art
Today, Collo uses his platform as a dancer to raise awareness about mental health and grief. He combines his artistic career with advocacy, showing resilience and turning personal tragedy into a mission to help others navigate their most difficult moments.
“Grief is not limited to words or condolences; it is a process that requires understanding, support, and time,” he said.
Conclusion
Collo Blue’s journey from the dance floor to the mortuary reflects a powerful story of resilience, empathy, and advocacy. By sharing his experiences, he hopes to inspire others to confront grief with compassion and to recognize the importance of mental health in healing.
