Jackie Matubia recently opened up on why her first marriage to Kennedy Njogu ended.
The actress, who married Njogu in 2014 at just 23 years old, opened up about the difficult choices she had to make between her ambitions and the life she had envisioned for herself.
At the start of their marriage, Matubia and Njogu had what seemed like a perfect life. Njogu, a pilot, provided everything for their family—material comfort, a nice home, and financial stability.
But despite all these comforts, Matubia began to feel a disconnect. Njogu had a clear idea of what he wanted: for her to stay at home, care for their home, and focus entirely on raising their children. However, this didn’t sit well with Matubia.
“I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mom,” she shared.
“I’ve always been someone who wants to do something for myself. I’ve always had a drive to work, to achieve, and to keep growing. I couldn’t just stay home and put my dreams on hold.”
While many women would be happy in the role of a stay-at-home mom, Matubia felt that this lifestyle didn’t align with her own goals.
Even though Njogu was supportive in many ways, providing for her and their family, Matubia knew that she needed more.
“He gave me everything I needed, but I wasn’t at peace with the idea of giving up my own ambitions,” she said.
Another factor that added to the strain was their youth. Matubia was only 23 when they married, and the pressure of balancing her role as a wife, mother, and aspiring professional started to take its toll.
“We were both so young, and we didn’t have anyone to guide us,” she said.
“We were figuring it out as we went, and that made everything harder.”
Jackie Matubia: Our Relationship Became Toxic
Over the next few years, the couple’s relationship became increasingly strained. They had many ups and downs, with breakups and reconciliations along the way.
But as time passed, Matubia reached a point where she had to reflect on what truly mattered to her.
“One day I looked in the mirror and asked myself, ‘What makes Jackie happy?’ I realized I couldn’t keep living in chaos,” she explained.
In March 2019, after seven years of trying to make their marriage work, Matubia and Njogu finalized their divorce. It was a tough decision, but Matubia knew it was necessary for her own personal growth and happiness.
By Vivian K.