Jackie Matubia, a prominent Kenyan actress, has candidly shared the struggles of her early life and how her turbulent upbringing shaped the woman she is today. In a heartfelt conversation with comedian and media personality Dr. Ofweneke, Jackie opened up about the pain of being labeled a “bad girl” and the trauma she endured, particularly related to her relationship with her mother and the culture shock she experienced after returning to Kenya.
Jackie’s story begins with an unsettling incident that occurred shortly after her birth. She revealed that her mother allegedly abandoned her at Pumwani Hospital for three months. “My mom left me in the hospital because I had so much dark hair. When my aunties came to visit, they told her I was an ugly child,” Jackie said. This deeply hurtful reaction from her family left an emotional scar on her mother, leading to her abandonment at the hospital. This traumatic experience formed the foundation of Jackie’s complicated relationship with her mother.
For six years, Jackie lived in London with her father, where she found solace and stability. However, the shift from the comfort of London to the harsh reality of life in Kenya proved challenging. Upon her return, she had to adjust to living with her mother, who had remarried by then. The adjustment was stark, with Jackie finding it difficult to relate to her new family dynamics. “I went to London to stay with my dad. Then I came back and stayed with my mum, who was already married to someone else by then. We lived in Kawangware,” she recalled.
The cultural shock of returning to Kenya after being raised in the UK left Jackie feeling like a stranger in her own country. She described herself as “a weird kid,” feeling out of place at primary school, where she struggled to fit in with her peers. The difficulties were compounded by the fact that her results in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams were far from stellar, limiting her options for high school.
Jackie eventually attended a local high school, a change she found both relieving and challenging. Unlike her primary school, where students arrived in expensive cars, her new school offered a level of equality that allowed her to open up about her struggles and feel like she belonged. It was during this period that Jackie’s determination to avoid the poverty she had witnessed in her life began to solidify. “I do not want poverty around me because I have lived it,” she said, highlighting her resolve to build a better future for herself and her family.
Jackie’s dreams as a child were heavily influenced by her religious upbringing. She envisioned a future filled with success, financial stability, a white wedding, and a happy family. In 2014, she met someone who she thought could be the person to help her realize these dreams. By 2015, Jackie became a mother, and in 2016, she married her then-partner, Kennedy Paul. However, the transition into motherhood was not without its challenges, especially as she struggled to balance her personal aspirations with the demands of raising a family.
Two years after giving birth to her first child, Jackie longed to return to acting and the stardom she had once enjoyed. But this desire came at a time when her marriage was beginning to show signs of strain. Jackie admits that she often put the needs of others before her own, describing herself as a “people pleaser.” After seven years of marriage, she finally realized that it was time to end the relationship. “Seven years of marriage! It was crazy. It was hard. I remember one day I just woke up and thought, this is not working. And we went our separate ways, even after trying to make it work several times,” she explained.
Now at 35, Jackie reflects on her journey with a sense of clarity and resilience. Her experiences, though painful, have helped shape her into a strong woman with a clear understanding of her worth. Jackie’s story is one of overcoming adversity, navigating complex family dynamics, and striving for a better future, despite the challenges she has faced along the way. As she continues to rebuild her life, her story serves as an inspiration to others who may be struggling with their own challenges.
