Celebrity life always appeals to almost everyone, however, with the glitz and glamour that comes with the public limelight, it’s not always rosy for media personalities or any other prominent individuals. A majority of famous people chose to leave their families out for the limelight for the reason that, “they are free to choose their own lives.”
Kenya is home to some of the best journalists both locally and in the region, and while they try as hard to keep their families out the lime light, several occasions have forced these celebrities to step out with their loved ones, exposing them to the public eye.
In this article, WoK takes at the wives of your favorite Kenyan journalists.
Jeff Koinange and Shaila Koinange
The veteran journalist is married to Shaila Koinange, a Kenyan of Asian origin. They met back in 1986 when they both attended an interview to be flight attendants for the Pan American World Airways at safari park, Nairobi.
Shaila and her husband have a son called Jamal.
John Allan Namu and Sheena Makena
John Allan Namu is married to Sheena Makena. She is 3 years older than the journalist but for the lovely couple, age is just but a number. They married in 2010 and have four children.
In an interview on Ebru TV, the couple shared their love journey that started at the Standard Media Group where Namu was interning and his wife was working as an editor.
The two had known each other since their campus days. The award winning journalist was in a long distance relationship that wasn’t really working for him. Namu admitted that he fell for Makena who was always supportive of his work. A romantic relationship developed and Makena got pregnant.
A forced exile in Europe-with fellow journalist Mohammed Ali after an expose-was the space Namu needed to make up his mind on his future. On his return, he informed his parents and ex-girlfriend about his decision to marry Makena.
Linus Kaikai and Jacinta Mueni Kaikai
The accomplished reporter is married to the beautiful Mueni. They met way back in 2005 when Linus was covering the 2005 Constitution. The couple welcomed their first child in 2007.
Both of them were not interested in marriage at first but surprisingly they got married in an elaborate wedding in 2012. The love birds tied the knot in a Catholic church in Kajiado County. The ceremony was attended by prominent persons including former Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni and former National Assembly speaker and presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth.
The couple have 3 children.
Rashid Abdalla and Lulu Hassan
The couple have 3 wonderful children: a young girl and two boys – Jibran and Irfan.
Rashid and Lulu met back in 2007, the year her mother died, at Radio Salaam. Rashid provided a shoulder for Lulu to lean on every time she felt sad about her mother’s demise. The first thing Rashid loved about his wife was her sweet voice even before seeing her face. After seeing her face, it was a done deal.
Two weeks after meeting, the couple got engaged. Rashid had no money for dowry. At the time his salary was Ksh5,000. He only submitted a Quran and prayer mat for dowry and the parents accepted.
The couple got married in a ritzy affair in Mombasa attended by friends, colleagues, acquaintances and members of the public. Since her mother was dead and could not give her away as customary demands, her friends stepped in for the task.
Image/Courtesy
Despite living together for years, the couple consummated their union in 2013 after their
marriage.
Waihiga Mwaura and Joyce Omondi
Waihiga was love struck upon meeting Joyce but she appeared not interested at first. She turned down his birthday invitation but once her first song was released Waihiga upped his game and started tweeting her publicly. One thing led to another and they started dating away from the limelight.
The lovebirds got married at Sawela lodge in Naivasha on December 18, 2015. Joyce thanked her mum for making the celebration a success and her best friend for designing the gorgeous gown she wore. This is the couple’s 7th year in marriage and they believe marriage works but it takes work.
Dennis Okari and Naomy Joy
The couple tied the knot in a colourful invite-only ceremony at Ridgeways Baptist Church on February 15, 2019.
Since their wedding, the couple have managed to successfully stay away from the limelight just like many other celebrity couples.
Sam Gituku and Ivy Waitherero
The couple tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony held at Deliverance Church in Langata on May 25, 2019.
The two are colleagues as Ivy also works as a news director for the Royal Media Services (RMS) owned station.
Mark Masai and Fiona Nduta
Masai and Nduta wedded in a colourful ceremony on January 2015 at at the Nairobi Chapel, Ngong Road. Three years later, the couple welcomed their first child, Nashipae.
Ken Mijungu and Laureen
Mijungu married his longtime sweetheart Laureen in a colourful wedding ceremony held at Fuschia Gardens in Limuru on Saturday, April 22, 2017.
Ben Kitili and Amina Mude
The veteran journalist tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend Amina Mude in a private ceremony at the Attorney General’s office on November 16, 2018. They have two children, Ruby Iman Nzembi Kitili and Roman Hami Kitili.
The journalist never shies away from sharing images of his family on his social media pages and appreciating God for them.
“A beautiful day when I married the wife of my youth who I promise to love and protect with my all,” he shared on his Instagram page on November 21, 2018.
“Happy birthday Mulki, the mother of my babies and le wife extraordinaire,” he posted on her birthday on April 3, 2019.
Alex Mwakideu and Mariam Mwemba Mwakideu
Mwakideu is married to Mariam. The couplehave three children, all girls. They welcomed their third child, Naya, on June 21, 2019.
