Former househelp Irene Nekesa, who previously worked for Kenyan musician Bahati and his wife Diana Marua, has opened up about her decision to leave a job that paid her an impressive monthly salary of Ksh 100,000.
Such a salary is considered extraordinary for househelps in Kenya, where most domestic workers earn significantly less.
Despite the lucrative nature of the job, Nekesa revealed that her decision to quit was driven by personal circumstances that outweighed the financial benefits.
According to Nekesa, the money, while substantial compared to the average earnings of househelps in the country, was insufficient to meet the growing needs of her family.
She explained that her family relied heavily on her as the primary breadwinner, and the financial pressures of supporting them made it difficult to sustain herself and provide adequately for her dependents.
”Ni vile watu hawaelewi maisha ya huku nje. Some people question why I left a place where there was money like that, but what they cannot understand is how much someone is being depended on back home. I always tell you that I am highly depended on back home and possibly I left because what I was earning there was not enough for me and to support my family.” Nekesa said while appearing during an interview with Jack Ogaga.
After quitting her well-paying job as a househelp for Diana Marua and Bahati, Irene Nekesa faced significant challenges that drew mixed reactions from the public. Many criticized her decision, labeling her a beggar when she began relying on the kindness of a Good Samaritan and turning to her TikTok fans for support. She asked for assistance in the form of job opportunities rather than direct handouts, emphasizing her willingness to work for her income.
“I didn’t want people to give me food,” she clarified. “I asked for jobs because I have a following. I usually request advertising opportunities so I can work and earn instead.”
Why Irene Nekesa Left Diana Marua’s Home
In a past interview, Nekesa explained that her departure from Diana and Bahati’s home was not the result of a conflict but rather a mutual understanding.
She emphasized that her time with the family was positive, and they had always been supportive of her endeavors.
Nekesa noted that she worked diligently during her employment and appreciated the encouragement she received from Diana and Bahati to pursue her own path. The family also helped her establish a presence on social media, a move that has since proven to be an essential tool for her growth and self-reliance.
“I needed to step out and grow, and it was a mutual understanding,” Nekesa shared. “They didn’t leave me hanging; they helped me build my social media presence, which has been beneficial.”
