This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
Idah Alisha Wanyoike, a former actress and mother-in-law, has spoken out about her tumultuous marriage, revealing why she finally walked away.
Wanyoike, who tied the knot in 2013, initially thought she had found her Prince Charming, but things took a dark turn when her husband's behavior became increasingly abusive.
She recalled the first time he slapped her, saying, 'I was like, it must be this mouth. I must have said something reckless that made him angry, and we make excuses like he doesn’t act like that.'
As the abuse escalated, Wanyoike's husband began to control her every move, even dictating what she could and couldn't wear. 'He stripped me of my confidence slowly by slowly,' she said.
One particularly disturbing incident occurred when her husband beat her in front of her friends, prompting Wanyoike to realize she had to leave. 'There was a time my friends had come over to my house, and I told him we were going out and would be back early. When we came back, he started asking where we had been despite the fact that we told him we were going out.'
Wanyoike's husband also took control of her finances, causing her to experience anxiety attacks and panic. 'Every time something happened, I’d get panic attacks,' she said.
Tragically, Wanyoike's experiences reminded her of her own abusive father, leading her to fear for her life. 'There was a scenario that happened in my life. I remember there was a time he was standing over me in the same position my dad stood over my mum. That’s when I told myself, ‘this man is gonna kill me one day, and that’s when I left.'
Wanyoike's courageous decision to leave her marriage serves as a powerful reminder that no one deserves to be abused, and that help is always available.
