Businesswoman Yvette Obura has candidly shared some of the trials and tribulations of raising a child with a celebrity, shedding light on the complexities of navigating life in the public eye.
Yvette, who is raising her daughter with musician Bahati, spoke to Nairobi News about her journey and the impact of being thrust into the limelight due to her relationship with the artiste.
“We met through a mutual friend in 2011. By the time I came into the limelight in 2017, it had been six years since I met Bahati,” she revealed, reflecting on how her private life became a topic of public interest.
Life in the public eye has presented Yvette with both positive and negative experiences.
“On the negative side, I’ve faced tough challenges similar to those of other public figures like Eliud Kipchoge, who recently trended for discussing their social media tribulations.”
Yvette has endured harsh criticism online, particularly regarding her past relationship with Bahati.
Bullies target her through their daughter, labeling her as “deadbeat” and “irresponsible” because her daughter spends time with her father.
“This negativity stems from being in the limelight; many parents co-parent, and children live with their fathers without any issue. People who know me personally see me as a devoted mother, but online, I’m judged unfairly,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Yvette acknowledges the positive impact of social media in her life.
It has opened doors to influential job opportunities, providing financial stability.
“When I bought my car, there were rumours that someone else paid for it, but the truth is, I worked hard and saved for it,” she said.
Discussing the advantages and disadvantages of raising a child in the public eye, Yvette remarked:
“Anytime I leave my house, everyone is asking about her. She is the attention of everyone in our estate. She is used to the limelight because most of the time she is with her dad and Diana Marua. On the other side, I am a low-key person and I love my life as an introvert,” she said.
She discussed her fears:
“My only fear is that I am overprotective because I live in a crowded area and so, I keep reminding my nanny to take care of her because so many people know her and I don’t know their intentions.”
