Mashirima Kapombe: My parents were disappointed after I gave birth outside wedlock
By Steve Ireri, September 18, 2025TV journalist Mashirima Kapombe has opened up about how she disappointed her parents after giving birth outside of wedlock in her mid-twenties.
Kapombe, speaking during an interview with a local Mombasa radio station on Thursday, September 18, 2025, explained that the experience was not only a turning point for her but also a moment of reckoning for her family.
She admitted that having a child outside marriage came as a shock to her parents, who had nurtured certain expectations about the path their daughter would take.
“I gave birth outside marriage, and that was very disappointing for my parents for sure. But I think we all learnt some lessons there, my parents and I. It gave us lessons, especially for me as a young lady at the time, because you can be very naïve,” she said.
She said that her parents were visibly disappointed when they learnt of her pregnancy, but instead of turning their backs on her, they chose to walk with her through the journey.
Her father, in particular, questioned the man responsible, seeking to understand whether he would take responsibility. Kapombe explained that her father was firm, insisting that if the man could not step up, then he was not a good partner for her.
“My parents came back and said fine, you have made a mistake, but let us see how we can get you back on track. My father then asked about the man who had fathered the child, what he was saying. My father was concerned about whether he would take responsibility, and he said that if he cannot take responsibility then he is not a good man,” she shared.
At the time, she was about 24 or 25 years old and still finding her footing as a young woman.
She confessed that her experience reflected the naivety many young women fall into when they mistake fleeting affection for genuine love.
Looking back, she said it became clear to her that girls need more education and guidance on what true love entails, and why financial and emotional independence is essential before committing to relationships.
“My mother used to say something often, that you are still young, you have not seen life, what do you know about men. And at that time I would feel like she did not know what she was saying. Those are the things that go all the way because a girl can be told just a few things and she thinks this man loves me and cares about me, but as you grow older you realise that is not how the world works. I feel we need to educate our young girls more to make sure they understand what true love looks like and why it is important to have your own stability,” Kapombe added.
She recounted that when pressed to choose between staying with the father of her child or leaning on her family, she chose the latter.
She explained that while there were many practical needs to address, such as clinic visits and childcare responsibilities, her family’s support made it possible for her to cope and move forward.
“They asked me to make a decision between going on with the man or staying at home. And you know there are things you need like going to the clinic and so much more, so at that point I made a decision and said the relationship will not work, I would rather trust my family. And they were fantastic, they supported me.”