It has indeed been an eventful year for our showbiz celebrity couples. Some jumped right into the marriage institution, others put a ring on it, while others totally chose to call it quits, writes GRACE WACHIRA 

For better, for worse  

Majic and Anne 

It has been a blissful year for gospel artiste and music producer Majic Mike. He was one of the sound engineers in this year’s continental non-competitive music TV show Coke Studio Africa.

On May 4, this year, Majic wedded his long-time fiancée Anne Murugi of Gardenia Events following his candid proposal to her in 2018. The two exchanged their vows in a lavish ‘gold with hues of green’ themed wedding attended by gospel industry.

The two had kept their relationship under wraps and even after tying the knot, they have continued to live their lives away from the public eye.

Celeb and Nyambura 

Just a few weeks after Majic’s nuptials, gospel deejay John Ndirangu aka DJ Johni Celeb also said ‘I do’ to his fiancée Nyambura Muthee in an intimate wedding attended by close friends and family.

The K24’s Switch music TV show host and his wife intimated in an interview with People Daily that their personalised vows to each other was their highlight of the ceremony.

They had an outdoor navy blue gold-themed day with the likes of pastor Andy Mburu and fellow gospel deejay Soxxy as part of their bridal party line-up.   

Billy and Caren 

Gospel artiste Billy Frank, who relocated to the United States, wedded his girlfriend Faith Caren Moche in a beautiful garden wedding ceremony in September. The Umeiweza Roho Yangu singer said in an interview that singing to his bride as she walked down the aisle was his highlight. 

Maureen Kunga

Elani’s Maureen Kunga joined the married club in September this year, too. The wedding that was tight-lipped was held in Naivasha and grapevine only got to know about it after the singer posted a picture of herself in a flowing lace-wedding gown with one of her bride’s maids.

She captioned it ‘Best Day Of My Life’ and it was not rocket science why. The photo went viral. To this date though, the name of her hubby is yet to hit the grapevine.

Jalang’o and Amina

October ended with media personality and comedian Felix Odiwour aka Jalang’o performing his traditional obligations and wed his Taita beauty Amina Chao.

With some of his closest friends among them his Milele FM breakfast co-host Alex Mwakideu looking on, Jalang’o paid a hefty dowry sum.

It was the first time ‘Heavy J’ was publicly telling the world about his relationship with Amina, who works with Kenya’s largest telecommunications company Safaricom. He had managed to keep their love life on the hush after parting ways with his baby mama Cheptoek Boyo, a journalist.

Nyash and Zia

In a traditional ceremony earlier this month, pop musician Nyamari Ongegu aka Nyashinski wedded the love of his life Zia Jepkemei Bett, a fashion designer. The couple’s colourful traditional wedding was held in Nandi county.

The Bebi Bebi  hit singer took his fans by surprise as the couple had also had kept their relationship away from the public eye. Among those in attendance were Sauti Sol’s Savara and Bien, Big Pin, Nameless and legendary talent manager Fakii Liwali.

  Headed there    

Bien and Chiki

In February, singer and vocalist of the multiple award-winning boy band Sauti Sol, Bien-Aimé Baraza popped up the question to his long-time half-Nigerian-half-Swiss beauty Chiki Onwekwe.

The fitness expert, dance choreographer and TV host popularly known as Chiki Kuruka said ‘yes’ to his proposal in a closely-guarded engagement that saw Bien go down on one knee in a movie theatre he had hired out. Spice  wishes them all the best.

Lapoze and Anastasia

Entrepreneur and gospel artiste DJ Lapoze in August got down on one knee in one of Nairobi’s fast food joints to propose to his girlfriend Anastasia Ng’ang’a. The couple’s close friends planned the proposal that came as a surprise to Anastasia.

The YouTuber and entrepreneur said an emotional and resounding ‘yes’. Together, they run a branding venture and clothesline called Lanna House Kenya.

  The ugly   

Natalie and Rnaze

The year was not without its share of splits and separations with some being messier than others. YouTuber and vlogger Natalie Tewa and her ex-boyfriend Moses Mukiibi aka Rnaze went their separate ways.

The two had become social media darlings with many admirers labelling them ‘Couple Goals’. After the nasty and viral break-up, Rnaze who had access to Natalie’s social media platforms, including her YouTube channel, pulled down a lot of content as revenge. Natalie has since moved on and gotten back to her vlogging.

Frank and Maureen

Just Gymit’s Frank Kiarie and his media personality and influencer ex-lover Maureen Waititu parted ways mid this year. The two YouTubers announced their split on social media months after they had already parted ways.

Even though they kept the separation civil for the sake of their two sons, Frankie was trolled on social media, but took to social media to address the break-up issue. “We are not in a good place yet.

I have known Maureen for six years and loved her every one of those years. That kind of love doesn’t fade. Sometimes things just don’t happen the way you expect them to. Our main focus is the kids and creating a healthy environment for them. Extend us the courtesy,” he wrote in part.

Terence and Milly

A cheating scandal had comedy sensation Terence Creative caught in the eye of the storm. In October Terence (real name Lawrence Macharia) and his wife Milly Chebet opened up about his extramarital affair.

He admitted the accusations  and apologised. But while at it, he blamed the devil, saying he had learnt his lesson and that he and his YouTuber wife were not separated. 

  New additions   

Seed and Nimo

On March 5, gospel artiste Mr Seed and his wife Nimo Gachuiri welcomed their baby boy Gold Christen Omondi. The couple, who got engaged in February 2018, had been together for five years.

The singer had earlier in the year made headlines following his alleged fall out with fellow singer Bahati and his wife Diana Marua.

Khaligraph and Georgina

Rapper Khaligraph Jones and his girlfriend Georgina Muteti welcomed their daughter Amina Jones Ouko in June this year.

The rapper who was also featured in this year’s Coke Studio Africa TV show had kept his relationship with his girlfriend private and only let us know about it when they were spotted together with her bulging baby bump. 

Bahati and Diana

August saw Eastland’s Most Beloved (EMB) music label boss and singer Bahati and his wife Diana Marua welcome their second baby together.

Majesty Bahati was soon after made RHF Healthcare brand ambassador. Barely five months later, the baby boy already boasts more than 59,000 followers on his Instagram page.

Gee Gee and Jas

Television host Daniel Githongo aka DJ Gee Gee and his wife Jasmine Macharia of Cooking with Jaz also welcomed their first child, Uriah Macharia, this August. In a post on his social media platforms, the gospel mixmaster noted that their ‘prince’ had joined the ‘dynasty’.

Kambua and Mathu 

Gospel songbird and television host Kambua took a hiatus from social media in August to welcome her son with hubby Pastor Jackson Mathu.

It had been a tough journey for the singer who longed to have a child of her own. She resurfaced on her birthday with an Instagram post with the hashtag ‘Mama Nate’, sending netizens on frenzy.

“A Mummy. A whole mummy! Ain’t God good? Also, it’s my birthday Aaaaalso, I have missed you all. But I took time to be fully present in the season God ushered me into.

My current ministry is in changing diapers, warm snuggles, and wet kisses. Ah! This. God. Is. Too. Much. Too much! God of Sarah, Hannah, Rebecca…Kambua..(sic)” she wrote on her social media page. 

Tanasha and Diamond

Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and his Kenyan girlfriend media personality Tanasha Donna welcomed their son Nadeeb Junior on October 2.

The Baba Lao singer later that day posted a picture on his Instagram page holding his son in a hospital room and captioned it, “Happy Birthday to us.” He and his girlfriend seem to be enjoying their parenthood journey with pictures of their son dotting their social media timelines.

Rimbui and Wahanga

After 10 years of waiting, musician and celebrated pianist Aaron ‘Krucial Keys’ Rimbui and his wife Wahanga Gakere welcomed their daughter Naima on November 7.

Rimbui, who now lives in the United States with his family, announced the arrival of his baby on Instagram saying: “Fatherhood.

Waited, prayed, hoped, the dreams, the longing, 10 years, you came, our miracle, Naïma, our delight, you’re welcome. You’re loved and always will be. #newdad #daughter #mygirl #miracle #testimony #Godisgood #Blessed. Congratulations! (sic).” 

Mo and Size 8

It had been a long time coming for System Unit’s Samuel Muraya aka DJ Mo and his wife, gospel singer Linet Munyali aka Size 8. The Murayas welcomed their second child barely two weeks ago, albeit pre-termly.

In a detailed post on her Instagram page, the Afadhali Yesu hit singer wrote, “My darkest moment I was unwell myself in the NICU unit at RFH Healthcare, my baby born earlier than expected weeks before the due date and so rushed into the machines!

A moment even darker when there was a slight emergency that my baby needed some oxygen intake urgently, but through it all God did it. A miracle child I now carry in my arms (sic).”