Nairobi, Kenya, January 16- Sarah Mtalii, Managing Director of Bonfire Adventures, has opened up about the conclusion of her marriage to Simon Kabu. While she emotionally detached from the relationship in early 2022, she only physically left at the end of 2024.
Speaking on Dr. Ofweneke’s podcast, Lessons @30, Sarah shared insights into her experience, noting that many women leave a marriage emotionally or mentally years before taking the physical step. She revealed that she spent over two years “hanging on” despite feeling disconnected.
“I’m at peace now. Do I look like someone stressed out? As women, we often leave emotionally or mentally two or three years before we physically step out. I left emotionally a long time ago but stayed physically, and I hear people saying I was just hanging on,” she said.
Sarah admitted that her children and their shared business kept her in the marriage between 2022 and 2024. Having grown up in a complete family, she wanted the same for her children, believing it was important for both parents to be present in their lives. However, she later realized that creating a healthy environment for her children was possible even after separation.
Their business commitments also played a significant role. Sarah disclosed that, despite their strained relationship, she and Simon had to maintain appearances for their thriving business. “There were times when I was forced to go on ‘holidays’ for business purposes, and we would sleep in separate rooms or twin rooms. It was all for the sake of maintaining the business,” she said.
The cracks in their marriage became public in June 2021 when Sarah hinted at trouble through a cryptic social media post: “Already rehearsing to be a single mum of two lovely little angels.” Concerns about Simon’s business associations also emerged, particularly with someone whose polygamous lifestyle she disapproved of. She warned subtly by posting, “Bad company ruins morals.”
Tensions escalated in April 2022 when Sarah accused Simon of preventing her from seeing their children and expressed frustrations over unresolved issues, including his financial responsibilities to children from previous relationships.
The public fallout led Sarah to apologize, admitting she had spoken out impulsively in distress and promising to resolve their issues privately. She wrote, “Sorry, my fam. When I was in distress, I said things I shouldn’t have said online. Life is a lesson, and we learn every day. Forgive me, Simon. Let’s sort our issues offline. All is well. Please keep us in prayers.”
Despite the turmoil, the couple surprised many in May 2022 by announcing they were expecting another child. The announcement, shared through a playful Instagram video, came as a shock given the publicized challenges in their relationship.
