Former Kenyan television news anchor Esther Arunga has officially reverted to her original name, Esther Adongo Arunga, dropping the surname Timberlake that she adopted after marrying Quincy Timberlake in 2010.
According to a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on Friday, October 9, 2026, Arunga has formally renounced her former name and adopted Esther Adongo Arunga for all purposes.
The deed poll, dated October 2, 2026, was registered at the Registry of Documents in Nairobi and published as Gazette Notice No. 16203.
The notice states that Arunga, formerly known as Esther Adongo Timberlake, has “formally and absolutely renounced and abandoned” her former name in favour of Esther Adongo Arunga.
“That I, Esther Adongo Arunga…..formerly known as Esther Adongo Timberlake, have formally and absolutely renounced and abandoned the use of my former name Esther Adongo Timberlake and in lieu thereof assumed and adopted the name Esther Adongo Arunga, for all purposes,” The notice reads.
From TV Star to public controversy
Arunga was a familiar face on Kenyan television in the late 2000s, having worked as a presenter and journalist at Capital FM and Kenya Television Network (KTN).
In 2008, she won the Chaguo la Teeniez (CHAT) Award for Best Teen TV Anchor/Presenter. She also pursued legal studies, earning degrees from the University of Wollongong in Australia before completing her studies at the Kenya School of Law. She was admitted to the Kenyan bar in 2009.
Her public profile changed significantly in 2009 and 2010 following her association with the Finger of God Church, led by musician Joseph Hellon. Arunga, Hellon and Timberlake were also linked to the launch of the PlaCenta Party.
Amid the controversy surrounding the group, Arunga resigned from KTN. Police later raided a house linked to the group in Nairobi’s Runda area. Arunga was arrested but released without charge in that matter.
She subsequently took legal action against her parents, police and media organisations, claiming interference with her rights. In March 2010, she publicly announced her marriage to Timberlake and her decision to adopt his surname.
Relocation to Australia and legal case
Arunga and Timberlake later left Kenya and relocated to Australia. In June 2014, their three-year-old son, Sinclair, died in circumstances that led to a criminal investigation.
In 2019, Arunga pleaded guilty to being an accessory in connection with her son’s death. She was sentenced to 10 months in prison and released immediately on parole.
Timberlake later pleaded guilty to manslaughter after a murder charge against him was dropped. In 2023, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
