The celebrity break-ups of 2021

 While 2021 has definitely offered more positivity than last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, for some celebrities, it’s also been the year they decided to call time on their relationships after failing to get the fairy-tale ending they were hoping for.

 Here are Kenyan celebrity couples that found it hard to handle one another in 2021.

Alfred Mutua and Lilian Ng’ang’a

Former flight attendant Lilian  and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua announced their break up in August, to the shock of Kenyans.

 Pictures of Lilian and her new lover, rapper Juliani (Julius Owino) had started doing the rounds on social media before the couple could break the news.

 The two had been together for 10 years before Lilian made the decision to leave the union. In an interview with the Nation, Lilian accused Mutua of being a «control freak» and insecure. She also alleged that she was not able to pursue a professional career while still in the relationship.

Mulamwah and actress Sonnie

After four years of on-and-off relationship, comedian Mulamwah and actress Sonnie decided to finally end their relationship for good this year.

 The couple made the announcement a week ago. They will co-parent their daughter Kyle Oyando, who was born in September.   However, the two did not disclose the reason behind their break up, although Sonnie hinted that she made a ‘‘simple’’ mistake, which Mulamwah found difficult to forgive.

 “We decided to part ways long before the birth of our daughter. Let it be known that our decision to part ways was discussed at length, not only by us but also our families,” Mulamwah told the Nation.  The Nation was able to establish the couple split sometime in July. Mulamwah and Sonnie had reunited in January this year, about six months after their split in 2020.

Mejja and Nameye Khadija

In January, acclaimed rapper Mejja revealed he had amicably separated with his wife of two years after efforts to save the marriage proved futile.  Mejja said the reason for the break-up was his ex-wife and mother of his two children moving out of the country for work.

“I analysed the situation and accepted to be in a long distance relationship so that my wife could be happy. But it didn’t work out,” Mejja opened up in a Vlog.   Interestingly, the two had been together for about three years since his first marriage broke down. Mejja’s first ex-wife walked out on him and later dumped him via a text message.

Ndeda and Muthoni

After seven years together, actor Ndeda and content creator Muthoni realised they could no longer continue in the relationship.

 The couple jointly announced their break up in July via a YouTube vlog stating that they had decided to part ways because their shared goals were no longer tenable.

 Nick acknowledged that he was a bit lax in pursuing their shared goals and Muthoni was making most of the effort.

According to Muthoni, their separation was necessary to allow them time and space to grow as individuals.

Nviiri The Storyteller and Elodie Zone

 The popular YouTuber went public on social media to announce the heartbreaking news six months ago.

 “I want to make it clear that I am not dating Nviiri. We just met in Coast but the reason that I left him is the same reason that has come up, as we are ‘respectful friends’,” posted Elodie.

 Before her announcement, Elodie had accused the Sol Generation singer of physically, mentally, emotionally and verbally abusing her while they were dating. The two tried working things out before opting to part ways. Elodie had previously dated former President Mwai Kibaki’s grandson Sean Kibaki.

Tony Kwalanda and Joyce Maina

After two years of quietly dating, sports journalist Kwalanda decided to make his relationship with actress Maina public by proposing to her.

However six months down the line, the two, who both work at Switch TV, broke off the engagement. They did not disclose the reason for their split until recently. 

Last week while appearing on the Oh! Men show, Kwalanda, who is eyeing an MCA seat in Kakamega County, blamed himself for not trying hard enough to save the union.

 “When I am coming to work, we meet with Joyce more often and we talk and share stuff. In fact she encouraged me the other day (to go for the political seat). I blame myself for not really pursuing Joyce,” Kwalanda regretted.

 This was perhaps the most talked about split this year, both in Tanzania and Kenya. Bongo flava singer Bernard Michael Mnyang’anga filed for divorce from the Keroche heiress in March 2021, just 11 months after their secret wedding in the suburbs of Mbezi Beach, Dar es Salaam, in May 2020 after two years of dating. 

In an interview with Tanzanian journalist Millard Ayo, the singer pointed out insecurities on the part of Anerlisa as one of the reasons that led to the collapse of their marriage.

Ben Pol stated that he had given his all to try and save the marriage and when he failed, he opted to file for divorce.