This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
Magdalene Syombua, the mother of 14-year-old gymnast Wendy Waeni, has broken her silence after her daughter exposed former manager Joe Mwangi for exploiting her.
Speaking to Citizen TV on August 10, 2019, Ms Syombua revealed that people in their community have been asking her why she still lives in Huruma, despite her daughter's international fame.
According to Ms Syombua, Joe Mwangi promised to find shows for Wendy from 2014, when he became her manager. However, when she asked if the trips they made performing for presidents and dignitaries had any form of appreciation, Mwangi said they were not paid and were only popularizing Wendy's art.
“Aliniambia atakuwa anamtafutia show na atakuwa anaenda anaperform akijulikana atajua vile atakuwa anafanya kazi nay eye. Nilifika mahali nikamuuliza huku kwote kwenye huwa mnaenda hakuna hata zawadi inapatikana pale akaniambia huu muda wote walikuwa wanafanya kama kumtangaza na hakuna kitu wanapata,” said Ms Syombua.
Ms Syombua further revealed that Joe Mwangi called and threatened her after Wendy exposed him on Citizen TV's #JKLive show on Wednesday night. She also stated that all along, Joe never wanted Waeni's story to get to the media.
“Hakuwa anataka story ya Wendy itoke pale nje, so nilibaki nimenyamaza sasa sahii vile mambo imelipuka amenitishia, amesema hata hio passport hatalipia huyo mwenye alitupeleka Citizen ashugulikie mambo yote ya Wendy na hataki kusikia tena,” said Wendy's mother.
