Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has sparked online debate after reacting to Zari Hassan’s public announcement that she had parted ways with her husband, Shakib Cham Lutaaya.
Zari shared a carefully worded statement on social media on June 12, confirming that her five-year relationship with Shakib had come to an end due to what the couple described as irreconcilable differences.
The statement said the decision had been reached after “much thought and reflection” and stressed that there was no anger or resentment between them.
Shortly after the announcement went viral, Nyamu took to Instagram Stories and appeared to poke fun at the statement's formal tone.
Recalling her own past experience with public breakups, she questioned why couples feel the need to issue official announcements when relationships end.
“I remember announcing a breakup a few years back.”
She then added:
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Karen Nyamu // Instagram“People who announce a breakup, why do you do it? Mambo ya watu wawili inageukanga announcement aje? Ati ‘we have decided…’”
The Swahili phrase loosely translates to: “How does a matter between two people become an announcement? Saying, ‘we have decided…’”
Her comments quickly circulated on social media, with many users interpreting them as a direct jab at the polished, formal wording of Zari’s statement.
Zari and Shakib Announce Separation
In the statement shared online, Zari and Shakib said they had decided to go their separate ways after five years together.
“Five years later, after much thought and reflection, we believe it is best for us to part ways due to irreconcilable differences.”
The pair also noted that ending the relationship had not been easy, but felt it was the right decision for both of them.
Karen Nyamu // Instagram“There is no anger or resentment; sometimes two people simply grow in different directions.”
They added that they would remain friends and wished each other happiness and success in the future.
Relationship That Drew Regional Attention
Zari and Shakib were among East Africa’s most talked-about celebrity couples. Their relationship became public in 2022 before they formalised their union through an Islamic Nikah ceremony in South Africa in 2023. Throughout their relationship, the pair frequently shared moments from their personal lives with followers online.
While fans continue to react to news of the split, Nyamu’s remarks have added another layer to the conversation, with her criticism focusing less on the breakup itself and more on the growing trend of celebrities issuing what many online users have dubbed “corporate-style” separation statements.
