Pastor Gilbert Manyasi of Nairobi has publicly recounted the painful unraveling of his marriage, which began with hope and shared devotion to the church. He described meeting a woman, Brenda, who shared his Christian values and was active in the praise and worship team, sparking a romance that eventually led to marriage.
The couple’s relationship, however, faced its first rupture in 2019 when Manyasi discovered messages on Brenda’s phone from another man expressing affection toward her. Confronting her produced no explanation, and she left his home shortly afterward, returning only three months later claiming to be pregnant with his child. Despite the unexplained absence, Manyasi welcomed her back, and the couple eventually married in December 2021, forming a family of three.
Initially, life appeared stable. Manyasi supported Brenda in pursuing further education, which led to a job as a sales agent in 2022. But soon after, he observed changes in her behaviour: late nights out, secrecy, refusal of conjugal relations, and interactions with other men that she insisted were platonic.
Seeking resolution, Manyasi enlisted the couple who were closest to them to mediate. Instead of support, Brenda accused him of abuse, claims that the mediators accepted, pressuring Manyasi to apologise. In an effort to maintain family harmony, he even contacted Brenda’s parents to apologise for requesting dowry, attempting to restore peace and safeguard their child.
The marital difficulties persisted. Brenda withdrew from church activities and started sleeping in the sitting room. Eventually, she moved out with their child and into the home of their best man, whose wife was frequently absent due to work commitments. Reports suggest that this arrangement led to the beginning of a relationship between Brenda and the best man.
Pastor Manyasi approached the officiating pastor for guidance, but the matter was dismissed, leaving him without recourse as his marriage dissolved amidst betrayal and unresolved conflict.
