Kenyan gospel singer and former television presenter Kambua has opened up about the digital beginnings of her marriage.
Speaking on the Women Without Limits podcast with Reverend Kathy Kiuna, the musician shared how a persistent Facebook message eventually led her to her husband, Jackson Mathu.
Kambua, a household name in the East African gospel industry, married Mathu in a garden wedding in 2012. While the couple is now celebrated for their tenured relationship, Kambua revealed that she was initially hesitant to engage with him.
Leaving Him on 'Read'
The "Nishikilie" hitmaker explained that when Mathu first reached out, she was in a period of healing. She had ended a long-term relationship that she described as chaotic.
"I had come from a very long relationship that had never fully arrived," Kambua told Reverend Kiuna. "It would never arise. Just so chaotic. So meeting Jackson was very different,” she revealed.
Because of her past experiences, she was not looking for a new partner. Mathu’s initial attempts to contact her through social media were met with silence.
"He had been messaging me on Facebook and because I had come out of that relationship, I just didn't want to rush into another one. I wasn't think about relationships."
The 'Mountain' Request
Persistence eventually paid off for Mathu. One day, Kambua decided to respond to his messages. Mathu immediately seized the opportunity to ask for a face-to-face meeting.
"I think he took that as ‘she has she has responded. This is it. This is it’," Kambua recalled. "And he's like can I buy you coffee some time?"
However, the singer was focused on her spiritual life at the time. She informed him that she was unavailable because she was on a spiritual retreat involving prayer and fasting.
"I told him I am on the mountain. Yes. However, when I'm done I'll let you know," she told the podcast.
A Chaotic First Meeting
When Kambua finally finished her retreat, the two agreed to meet at Westgate Mall in Nairobi. Despite his eagerness, Mathu’s first impression did not go exactly as planned.
"The first date that I that we were meant to meet at Westgate and he was late. First of all, he was late," Kambua said.
Mathu had become stuck in severe Nairobi traffic. By the time he arrived, the meeting was cut short.
"He comes to meet me and less than 30 minutes after he has to leave," Kambua explained. "So, he's so embarrassed that he's first very late."
A Different Foundation
Despite the awkward first date and the late arrival, Kambua noted that Mathu’s clarity was refreshing. He was direct about his intentions, which contrasted sharply with her previous dating experiences.
Kambua and Jackson Mathu have now been married for over a decade.
