PPS

Esther Arunga and Quincy Timberlake

Jolly pleasantries are making their way around Pregnant’s boardroom. Our person of focus calmly reclines on her seat and looks around quietly. She doesn’t seem anxious about unravelling what’s beneath her gentle bump; like the lady who knows that in Africa men go before, she lets Quincy take the cue.
Quincy takes the platform oiling it back to where it all began. He says he met Esther the year 2002 in Australia at a Kenyans-Living-in-Australia get-together and a friendship ensued. Then he was in the University of New Castle where he was studying Terrestrial Law as Esther took with her Law degree at the Wollongong University.
Quincy later on took off to the United States for a Master’s Degree in Endocrinology, the study of hormones. Esther later came back to Kenya. We began seeing her pretty face and her effortless and gentle authority in the KTN newsroom. Sure enough, there was a lull between their buddy-ship until Quincy was in Joseph Hellon’s house, and behold… Esther!
And a lot of water happened under the bridge: a volatile break up culminating to the trio announcing their ambition to redesign the Kenya’s political atmosphere, concerns from disillusioned Christians, shuttling from cell to cell amidst high security, and a media that could not out-give the mass. The trio’s names were dancing on almost everyone’s lips.
Well, like every other sizzling news, it sizzled out… until the three walked into Pregnant’s office with special news.
When exactly did they get married? ‘No, it was not while Quincy was under incarceration. I knew that many people would object my decision— despite us being consenting adults. So our pastor, Hellon—who is certified by the Kenya Government to oversee a marriage union, married us at an ambassador’s house,’ articulates Esther.
‘Which was a safe option,’ says Quincy.
‘Being a no man’s land…’ explains Hellon.
Back to our subject, “I’m six months pregnant/ Esther says with a little smile, shifting to find the most comfortable position in the seat.
How did she know she was expectant?  She says she just got the hunch a week later. A home-kit confirmed it and the doctor’s report cemented it.
She declines a soft-drink asking for water instead an indication that junk has become a no-no. Quincy playfully confirms that reporting, ‘Hey I found this girl hooked to junk food. But for her well being and that of the baby, we have had to fight to have her eat the nutritious traditiona food—the likes of red ugali, liver, fish and kienyeji vegetables. I keep a time table to ensure she gets her much needed food’
‘Oh he overfed me,’ laughs Esther, ‘I added a whole 3kgs in a month-the doctor had to ask me to shed off a good part of it.’ She goes on to make it loud that Quincy has been the master keeper of the tabs: Her vitamins tablets, resting pattern, water intake, her tummy butter, her beauty appointments, to mention a few.
‘She seems to have caught up with me,’ her husband teases, ‘Nowadays, I find her doing it before I mention it.’
Special speak
‘I met my mum at the hospital the other day when I was going for my clinic and she said “na kuzaa ni uchungu! (Labour is painful),” recounts the former KTN business news anchor smiling. ‘She can’t wait to say hello to her grandchild,’ says Esther.
As for Quincy, there is never-ending supply of food from up-country (Quincy is apparently Kenyan). He says his family loves Esther to pieces and are more than keen to have the latest member their clan showing up.
Esther attests that her hubby is everything in the world but a few things have remained rocket science for him. ‘For a long time he has been dropping clothes on the floor, pulling the covers to himself, putting a lot of pepper in the food and waking me up at 3am to catch up! He sleeps early. I’m a late sleeper, which leaves me wondering… can we talk about that when the sun is up?’
‘With the day bombarded with business and back-to-back political endeavours, 3am is the best time for me to ask my wife little special guestions like why she likes to paint her toe nails purple… so… well… because when Esther also wants to know something, she will stop nothing, until she gets it out of you.’
‘Oh but for the clothes and pepper, he has really improved,’ consoles Esther before adding, ‘And he keeps buying pillows!’
‘She usually shoves off the pillows from and props herself all of them—we just never have enough.’ Quincy defends.
A little shy moment: ‘I had a running stomach during my 22nd week. The constant visits to the cloak room were not very becoming. Then the gas. It can happen whenever or wherever,’ she mutters.
Best times
Esther: When the baby kicked.
Quincy: What about when you first saw the baby playing on the monitor.
Esther: Yeah. There are many bests!
She says she loves being pregnant. ‘I’m glad pregnancy is nine months. It prepares you psychologically,’ Esther says.
For Quincy, something he can’t stop doing is ensuring Esther has a different look. He says whatever looks really nice on other women out there will definitely look better on his wife, so he gets it for her. His biggest career objective is to ensure that his wife is the happiest on the planet, he remarks. ‘I am glad I have her because she is submissive and is willing to learn more not forgetting that she stood by me against all odds. Only a mad man would turn against such woman,’ says the musician with an obviously bemused look.
True to the word, Esther’s parents were not very excited at their daughter’s move to get married. Esther and Quincy however say that should they see an olive branch waving in that homestead, they will run faster than Usain Bolt for the grand reconciliation.
Guest’s say
All the while, there has been that quiet guest—his face written: ‘intently listening’. I ask what he has to say about all the words that have been flying around the room. Hellon says he is more than happy for his dearest friends; running mate and prospective MP respectively.
“This guy (gesturing at Quincy) is not the person you have been hearing about on media. Go look for ‘that one’ elsewhere. The person you are looking at is an Alpha man. He is an expert in the kitchen, he will fix almost whichever vehicle, he has written great speeches. We went to the same primary school back in the village, and we are now doing music, business and Christian ministry together. He is brave, he birthed the master-plan to this political venture, and has been selfless enough to give me the mantle on a platter, saying I am the one who has ‘it’. I am in no doubt he will make a great father,” declares Hellon the Pastor, legendary saxophonist, pastor and 2012 presidential aspirant.
If you did not notice, the subject at hand has something synonymous the trio’s political base; PLACENTA. ‘Kenya is at a gestation period; to have a re-birth that Kenya wants; the angelic Kenya, one with the tenets of biblical principles, which are not out to discriminate on people from other faiths,’ Hellon articulates.
‘Koyo and I will be here soon!’ Hellon mutters with a great smile and sure nod.
And just like they came in, the three shuffle out in jolly banter, very eager to read their story.
——————————————————–
King or Queen: Not really keen on knowing. Either is great.

Baby names: Not until we lock eyes and bond with the baby.
House help arrangements: Not looking forward to that. If the service can be avoided, even better.
EDD: 21st December, 2010.
Prospective parent-baby relationship: Tight – to be with them as much as possible.

Favourite time:
Esther: The Kicks
Quincy: The scan that showed the baby waving.

Who is Quincy to Esther: Friend, teacher and husband

Who is Esther to Quincy: The epitome of the magma of my life. I don’t seem able to be without her; that’s why I drag her to whereve
85 Comments

Emmy Kosgei – More than a Gospel Queen

Emmy Kosgei’s runaway success in vernacular gospel music has raised her profile and revealed a true Kenyan star. She opens up to Carol Odero showing a steely determination and philanthropist behind that radiant smile
As far as entrances go, Emmy Kosgei’s arrival for our meeting can only be described as nondescript. She slides out of the back left of a regular salon car in a pair of jeans skimming her hips, heeled wedges, a soft lime green sweater with a subtly made up face and surprises me with a warm hug even though this our first ever meeting.
All of this belies just how popular this 28-year-old artiste is; on Promulgation Day, it was Emmy’s professionally executed performance that salvaged an otherwise disastrous presentation by our local artistes.
Last month she had members of parliament from all over the world on their feet and dancing when she performed at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting held in Nairobi.
She can also count a number of influential Kenyans as her declared fans. And if you consider that Emmy is gospel musician who sings exclusively in Kalenjin, then all these feats become even more amazing. About an hour into the interview a fan notices her and approaches exclaiming; “I know you! Your performance on Promulgation Day was great. After that it all went downhill,” she laughs along with Emmy.
Emmy’s easy popularity almost makes it seem that she was born under a lucky star. But in truth, all of this is the result of hard work, a keen sense of timing and a willingness to take advice. She is a firm believer in not going it alone. “I get a lot of advice from people and before I do anything, I always consult with my parents,” she says. “If they say no, don’t, then I don’t.”
Daughter to highly acclaimed protestant cleric Bishop Jackson Kosgei and his wife Rose, a versatile businesswoman, Emmy grew up in Mogotio in Koibatek District. “I would say it was a humble background. We were not well off, but we managed,” she says.
She has always been a performer joining everything from the youth choir to the drama club in high school. “I used to compose my own songs and sometimes people would cry. My dad would say it was because my words were so powerful.”
Then she moved to Nairobi to study food production at Utalii College it was her first time in a city. “I know a lot of people might think I am a mshamba but I don’t care,” she says. She sung in church but never considered doing it professionally. Then she met Esther Wahome who heard her sing in church and became her mentor. “She advised me to try something different. Everyone was already singing in English and Kiswahili.” Emmy decided to sing in her native Kalenjin in order to stand out. “Vernacular language is different, very rich and not explored,” she says.
When she performs, Emmy always wears outfits she designs and has tailored by her staff at her fashion house, the Emmy K House of Fashion. Again, this was on Esther’s advice. “I used to be a model and at the time I was slim so she also told me to take advantage of my looks. Esther also said to do a good album cover and video.”
But before her career took off, Emmy started trying to make ends meet with a job at Engen in 2003 in their customer service department. She left because she had to work in shifts and that got in the way of her making church music. Then she was hired as a sales representative for a Catholic NGO where she thrived and was promoted. This job offered a flexible schedule—and it was there that she met a friend who served as a stepping stone to her first ever tour in South Africa.
Her first album came out in 2005 along with a DVD compilation. “I used my savings and money from my dad and friends because I could only afford about half the amount.” It was this album, ‘Katau Banda’, which was themed around tribal clashes, which she promoted while in South Africa. “I have never been received anywhere the way I was in South Africa. I was given a VIP reception by the Embassy.” Complete with a fleet of high powered cars, it amazed even her.
Shortly after she flew to the US to perform and on the flight back, wrote out her second album, ‘Kaswech’. Radio stations asked her to interpret it and they played it repeatedly in 2008 after post election violence. “I would get text messages from people who told me while there was chaos outside they had been clinging to their radios listening to that song because it was the only thing that gave them hope.”
She has a ridiculous number of text messages on her phone to this effect, and shows me. One is from a man who says that although he understands nothing of the language, he is deeply moved by her songs. It has playful, catchy and danceable beats. She found a way of getting around language through subtitles on video. Even so, in late 2007 and early 2008 when vernacular songs and radio stations came under intense scrutiny, she had a brief moment of fear when she thought it was the end of her career.
Those fears were completely erased on Promulgation Day when her song ‘Taunet Nelel’ which, interestingly enough, was written two years ago as a patriotism-meets-Christianity song, moved people such as prime minister Raila Odinga, vice president Kalonzo Musyoka, first lady Lucy Kibaki, Gichugu MP Martha Karua and nominated MP Millie Odhiambo to dance along with the rest of the dignitaries on the dais.
Emmy says she felt vindicated for never agreeing to travel around the country campaigning for either side of the referendum divide. “Performing at the Promulgation was a great honour and turning down those requests made it even sweeter.” To think she says she gets nervous before each show seems absurd! “That day I was shaking. I did not know that would be the reaction. I was supposed to turn and face the crowd somewhere halfway but I saw them dancing and it moved me.”
There are many instances where others are confronted by Emmy’s music but the greatest platform had to be that day. Wearing white, a colour she has a penchant for performing in because “it just brings out the message best,” and flanked by a back up group that includes her younger sister and brother, she brought the crowd of thousands to their feet.
Emmy is not just a gospel artiste. She is also a patriot and philanthropist, and her music seems to spring from a place of healing. “When I was singing ‘Kaswech’ I was thinking how one generation could have so much blood on its hands that it affects the next one. People took part in the violence without understanding the implication of it. The way to fight tribalism is by accepting it. Every community is unique and that is what makes us Kenyan. You have to appreciate those differences, not stifle them.
If I have come this far doing Kalenjin songs, imagine how far we would go if one person sung in Kikuyu, another in Luo, another in Kikamba, and everybody did their thing instead of putting fear into people by making them doubt who they are.” This interesting mix of the local and the global has landed her a distribution deal with EMI Records through its Kenyan arm AI, to take her music to the rest of the world.
During the interview, her phone simply does not stop ringing. It is a narration of a Bible verse. She steps away to take one of the calls discreetly. On the way back she is stopped by a gathering of elderly men, and Emmy actually curtsies when she shakes their hands. An animated conversation follows. When she returns she says they asked how they could support her.
It suddenly becomes evident why she is so successful; she is a modern woman with conservative, traditional and Christian values but she knows exactly how to hustle. The undertones of her slight Kalenjin accent illuminate a great deal of cultural spit and polish that allows her to fit seamlessly into high society as easily as she does into her rural community.
Her distinct brand of ebony beauty is as dazzling as it is startling and makes her gospel a smidge sexier, especially since it flows from the inside out. She is the sort of person who effortlessly attracts good things through nothing but a prayer.
She finds that observation amusing. “I don’t struggle. All the things I do in my life, I do them because I have passion for them. As for Christianity, I have never known any other life but this so I enjoy it thoroughly. Even when I first came to Nairobi there were no temptations for me. I can’t imagine any other life.” he maintains that, “God has done everything for me. I am not connected to anyone.” Her father is her greatest influence. Incidentally, he is physically handicapped but you could never discern this from her conversation. “He raised us in such a way that we do not feel the gap. It has taught us that disability is not inability in life.”
But there must be shoulds, musts and thou shalts, surely, right? “It used to bother me and I used to think I had to be or talk in a certain way. When people meet me they expected a kind of personality but I have adjusted. As much as possible, I try to be myself.” That includes being particular about her videos, which makes them rather expensive. “I am quite demanding. My mind is on the end product. I have to make sure it sells.” Think of it like a business and she is the product. Her office has a sales and marketing team, who run Emmy Kosgei as a brand. She is also very much aware of her self image and knows exactly what works with her colouring.
She is a skilled business woman. The Emmy K House of Fashion label has been in business for the past two years. She must be worth a small fortune, I point out. “Well,” she smiles , “I can’t complain. We manage,” is all she says. Lively lime greens, ravishing burnt oranges, soft ivory whites and bluer than the sky blues are but some of the colours that pop in her DVDs.
Away from that, her style is so casual it is laid back. “I know what favours my skin, not just in terms of what I wear but also how I take care of it.” Her skin is radiant, healthy and matted with the slightest dusting of powder. “Our culture favours long dresses, but up here,” she indicates her bust, “we are naked so I am comfortable with that.” She designs her own jewellery as well. The metals are crafted by a gifted sculptor and the beading is done by a community of women in Mogotio. Her mother and sister oversee the making of the beads and the women are paid for their trouble.
About two years ago Emmy opened Hope Academy, a school that educates 40 students from the direst of situations. “They don’t have anything. Some lost their parents, or are being raised by grandparents or come from environments where they brew alcohol. I conduct the interviews myself when we recruit. We are very strict with our choices.” ‘We’ in this instance comprises the head teacher of the school, and again her mother and older sister. Hope Academy emphasises spiritual matters, nurtures extra curricular talent because there is more to schooling, and of course studying. She sponsors 37 children altogether.
Three children who are now sponsored by Titus Naikuni caught his eye when he saw them in one of her music videos, and invited Emmy and her group to dinner with his family where he asked, “Who are these kids and what can I do for them?” Yes. Just like that. “It is hard asking people to participate in something that does not yet exist,” Emmy says, adding that she preferred to start the school before asking for funding so that she would something tangible to discuss.
She hopes eventually that all the children, and more, will be sponsored, an act of kindness that means paying fees as well as buying uniforms, books and things. As of now, whatever money she earns, mainly from her fashion line, is ploughed back into the school.
By now I begin to wonder if Emmy should be sainted. But surely there must be a chink in her armour if one looks hard enough. It happens to be in the form of this bit of gossip; rumour has it she is dating one or other very senior government official. My fans do come up to me and ask me, just like you did, if any of this is true,” she says. Then: “I am very principled. I would not have come this far if I were a loose woman. These men [referred to] are married and I know their wives, who are very good friends of mine.
” Who then, is she dating? “I don’t share my private life with the public because that can be misinterpreted. I keep them guessing, which might explain the rumours,” she says. “All I can say is, I am taken, I am seeing someone and he is very, very supportive of me and what I do, and I create time for him.” When I ask for more details about him, all questions are met with a firm shake of the head and a promise: “Watch this space,” she says. “Give it a few months then you will have the whole story.”
Did she ever get down on her knees and pray for a specific kind of man?
“My dad always says that it is my own responsibility,” she says. “There is no designed husband. Of course, it cannot work if you find someone who is not understanding or who does not support you. And when it comes to relationships, everyone needs divine intervention because it is a lifetime commitment.”
Away from the public, Emmy relishes her steam baths, massages, and aerobics. She loves solitude especially in the Mara, or by taking walks or drives in nature. “I can go on a drive to forever.” But at the core of it, Emmy is just a regular woman who admits that she wants what anyone else does. “I plan for a normal life. There is a lot of pressure in the industry I want to be like woman,” she says.
“I want children and I want to get married.” Nothing could be more apt than Emmy’s own words to wind up. “You can’t just be a celebrity in name and be rich. You need to leave a legacy.”

Categories: Kenyan Musicians, Successful Women, True Love Magazine  |  96 Comments

Esther Arunga Timberlake

It’s always a bit peculiar interviewing someone who works or has worked in the media industry. They are so often more habituated to holding the microphone or notepad and it can be baffling for them to have to reply to all those probing questions they usually shoot to their subjects.

We are on location at Tamarind restaurant at the village market with none other than the former TV queen, Esther Arunga-Timberlake.

Words: Faith Harry

Photos: Bobby Pall

Esther’s voice has a smoothing quality that is almost hypnotic, it’s no wonder KTN took her up fast when an opportunity arose.

And as we may all agree, she is not only beautiful and radiant but she is charming, witty and smart. Her good mood is infectious. Her beauty glows proudly and defiantly through her smooth, deep chocolate complexion.

It is hard to imagine the woman seated opposite me in a restaurant at the Village market has been in the limelight for sometime both for good reason, when she was a darling to many particularly the male species as she brought news home in a super eloquent way, and even in times of great hullabaloo that has surrounded her life since February.

It’s the controversies that just can’t leave people’s mind any time soon.

Our interview was requested by one, jazz musician, Pastor Joseph Hellon when he called our offices. To me, it was a God sent opportunity. After correspondence with Hellon as that seemed the only way to reach Esther then, we set the interview date.

With that settled, I was excited but a little bit skeptical at the same time on how our encounter would turn out.

On the interview day, Hellon, Quincy and Esther turned up and I was a bit puzzled but I was resolute in my heart to have a one on one interview with Esther alone in order to delve in the issues that have adorned her life in the last couple of months without second opinions.

Our first stop was at Midas Fabrique, anniversary towers to pick some clothes for our scheduled photo shoot later in the day.

With that done, we headed to the Village market for our photo shoot and the expected interview.

Esther has striking buoyancy that impresses everyone at the photo shoot. She seems to love the camera and it loves her right back. It is hard to believe that this fine-looking young lady has had to pass through very harrowing experiences.

As our make up artist preps her for the shoot, its evident that Esther is most accommodating, bounding gracefully from one spot to the next.

Our photographer has a very effortless time with her as her poses are natural. And with the slowly bulging belly, her delight is palpable. Yes, indeed Esther Adongo Timberlake is heavy with a child; six months old. And the joy of the pregnancy is evident on her glowing skin.

As our make up artist does some touch up make up on her, we engage in girlish talk.

“Is your pregnancy problematic?” I ask from a point of experience being a mother myself.

“No, I can’t complain. It has been a smooth ride, just dealing with insurmountable bouts of gas at times but basically nothing much. I didn’t experience morning sickness, something I am really grateful for,” she responds in that all innocent made up baby face.

In my moment of reflection, I noted the Esther I saw defending herself against accusations of belonging to a cult and the Esther I am with today is different.

This Esther seems contented with her life; who she is and the choices she has made. And indeed one of them being her husband, Quincy. “My husband treats me well.

Our marriage is sweet and beautiful, I feel like the most loved woman in the world. People should learn not to meddle into other people’s affairs because I have a right to marry a person of my choice,” says Esther Timberlake adding that their baby due in December will further strengthen their relationship.

When we are almost done with the photo shoot, our photographer requests Esther’s husband for a snapshot together.

He feels a bit odd as he wasn’t prepared for any. Had he been, he could have dresssed stylishly as he puts it.

The life of Esther Adongo Arunga-Timberlake

“When I was growing up, I wanted to be a pilot, news anchor, and engineer, name it. However, most people thought I would take up law as they said I was very loquacious,” Esther states as we begin our formal interview.

“I am born in a close knit academic family, where we are all extremely independent. My twin brother and I are the sixth born in a family of seven. When I was 13 years old, my parents moved to Ethiopia due to work related reasons and thus at a tender age of 13, my independence began maybe not out of choice but circumstances. At 15, I withdrew from my family religion, Seventh Day Adventist. I needed a closer walk with God,”

Esther shares candidly noting that this decision caused a lot of rubbing of shoulders with her father, Dr.Arunga who is an elder in the church and her family at large. However, being one who makes decisions without turning back, she left SDA. That’s how her relationship with her father got somehow strained though as she candidly speaks up, she has nothing against her parents and she has forgiven her father.

Earlier this year, Esther had said that she would sue her parents for interfering with her private life but that is now water under the bridge.

“I withdrew the charges against my parents. Our strained relationship is progressively healing and I am in good terms with them contrary to most people’s belief. My mum is my friend and it’s sad that she had to go through the upsetting experience. She is a private woman whom I have great respect for,”

Esther explains claiming that she will sue a well known physiatrist. She will also take legal action on a certain media house and a personality for defamation.

Away from that, she continues with her life story.

“I attended Kenya High School where I performed exceptionally well particularly in the Sciences. At 18 years, I got an opportunity to stay with my parents for about six months before proceeding to Australia to pursue a degree in law. I knew with a degree in law, I could fit in all fields,” the well-expressed lady speaks as words come tumbling out of

her as if she is in a race for the finish line. She is chatty.

After her university education, Esther worked in Australia for one year before coming home for a diploma from the Kenya School of Law. “I felt very uncomfortable in the legal field. I enjoyed studying law but not practicing it. It appeared very male dominated and the few ladies present appeared masculine, at least to me,” she elucidates.

I ask her to elaborate on that point.

“Law is corporate and I couldn’t fit as I wanted a family which I could spend quality time with,” she explains even as I struggle to understand her point. Could it be because I am not a learned friend? Somehow it’s getting clearer why this gorgeous, talented girl prefers to be a stay at home wife and to be mum.

Apart from when she is out sensitizing people about their Placenta Party of Kenya with her husband and their mentor, jazz musician Joseph Hellon, Esther prefers to stay home, after all the husband is well able to provide for all her needs through his vast business investments within and abroad.

The former TV queen shocked many when she resigned from an enviable, high-profile job at KTN as a news anchor and went to live at her pastor, jazz musician Joseph Hellon’s Runda House.

She worked at KTN from October 2007 to February 2010, but the manner and  circumstances leading to her resignation are what astonished many.

“I knew I would leave the media at some point. The break up with my former ex-fiancee and what followed after that only fuelled me to resign and pursue my other passion: politics. I always knew I would get into politics but maybe through nominations, say at the age of forty. Media for me was a stepping stone”  She shares adding that she does not intend to get back to the media industry as that would be a failure for her.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. I am passionate about politics. I will be Joseph Hellon’s running mate come 2012, vying for deputy presidency and we are not relenting in our pursuit for a better Kenya,” she states as she starts matters political.

“We are very optimistic that we will carry the day. We have what it takes to lead this nation. As Kenyans, we are so used to bad situations that we have become used to it. We must say NO to corruption,” she says convincingly.

Any one who thinks we can’t win can only be anti-development, anti-Kenya and anti-change. From their manifesto which I have a copy, the trio has promised change in the education system, the judiciary, the constitution, the police and all areas that can be changed and most importantly starting from the family unit.

This young woman who a while back decided to be inaccessible via phone, Facebook and all social sites is now back but as she says, she chooses her friends warily. She can’t trust everyone, having faced betrayal from friends in the past.

“I choose my friends cautiously and I have realized it’s hard to please everyone,” she notes. “While I was at KTN, some people thought I had my dream job while others told me I should get to the legal field and practice law. Being a young woman, my ambitions are clear cut; I really know I’m in the right track through the opposition I receive,” she says philosophically adding that great ideas are always violently opposed by mediocre minds.

“If people don’t oppose me, I would be very worried. My name has been meddled in the worst way and there is nothing more that can happen,” Esther adds. “We do political rallies from community to community. We are always on the move, either by air or by road,” Esther says noting that they have initiated many projects across the country.

“Most of our projects are in the pilot stages and you will soon begin to feel our political presence all over the country. Politicians respect us greatly. My urge to the young people is to ensure that none of the sitting MPs are elected come 2012. We need fresh blood from the grassroots,” she speaks ambitiously.

Her family

As far as good wives are concerned, Esther is a good wife because as we know, many men desire to have a submissive wife. She is very submissive to her husband. “When I came back from Australia, I stayed with my parents for one year. It’s around this time I met Hellon who is a distant relative. They were running a ministry dubbed WATTA (Way To The Aisle) together with his wife. They taught young women on how to be godly wives. Hellon had been married to his wife for eight years then and I really admired their marriage.

I am applying the lessons I learnt practically and I am a happily married lady,” she says elatedly.

And to further prove their love for each other, Esther shares a phone with her husband.

“When we got hooked up, we decided to use one phone. Phones are known to cause drama at times, and I wanted to eliminate anything divisive.

We base our marriage on Biblical principles, where a husband is to love the wife as Christ loved the church that He died for it. That love is pure. A man should be ready to sacrifice for the woman he loves, “she says candidly but it doesn’t end there.

Mrs. Timberlake has a piece of advice for the married ladies. “Wives are to treat their husbands as Kings, as they are the center of authority. You can’t treat your man the way you treat your girlfriends,” she emphasizes noting that women are called to submission, and although it may not happen in a day, slowly and with deliberate effort, it’s possible to get there.

“Why do Kenyan men marry Tanzanian women? She asks rhetorically.

Tanzanian women seem to understand what submission should be in a better way. Most Tanzanian women treat their husbands with uttermost respect. “I enjoy washing my husband’s clothes and cooking for him. I do it gladly. Of course many are the times when my husband helps me out in the kitchen purely out of love. He is a good cook,” she says warmly.

Esther talks highly of her husband and makes marriage sound so delicious. And contrary to what most people think, as Quincy states he met Esther for the first time in Australia in 2003, it was brief as he later left for the United States of America. However, there was no relationship established between the two then.

As we come to the end of our interview, Quincy joins us and has some exceptionally passionate words for his wife.

“It’s my desire to ensure that my wife is happy at all times. I am imperfect, yes I agree but I am seeking righteousness daily. My wife is a flower that needs delicate care, she is a woman happily established on a bedrock that cannot be moved by sandy winds, loamy soils and clay waters, she can withstand any pressure from the furnace, she can withstand any pressure from solar burns…she has stood by me when I was under great pressure…she is not a nag and she is very supportive,” chanted Quincy.

To further express his love, Quincy has stopped owning a mobile phone and has pulled out of social online sites to concentrate his time on loving Esther.

“I do not have a reason to get busy with others as my wife fills up all my time. I have been in relationships before, I dated the likes of Whitney Houston but I knew no happiness.

But now, I have found love and happiness and I will love in return and make sure that my wife is happy and secure. I discover my wife every second. She is like my long term research project, she is bigger than the Pacific Ocean as she is a package of many things” Quincy says of his wife in high esteem.

He revealed that he is ready to meet Esther’s parents and clean his name from the many dark allegations that have been said of him.

“The bible commands that we should respect and honor our parents. I am ready to meet with her parents formally and make peace,” he says with finality noting that he has met his mother-in law a few times although informally. “Esther is loved greatly by my family whom she has met several times,” the proud husband concludes.

There you have it. Esther; self-driven, vivacious, ambitious, submissive, resilient, and gorgeous.

Clothes by: Midas Fabrique, Mezzanine flr, Anniversary Towers, 0722 837 393

Makeup: Christine Mwangi 0722 639 733

Hair: Tony K. Salon, Westlands