Content creator and actress Joyce Maina has responded to recent remarks made by her ex-partner, Tony Kwalanda, shedding light on the reasons why they broke up.

Kwalanda, a Luhya man from Malava, revealed that cultural disparities, particularly in the naming of children, were a significant bone of contention between him and Maina, a woman from the Agikuyu community.

In an interview with a local media house, Kwalanda recounted a conversation where Maina expressed her preferences for naming their children, stating, “For my first child, I want to name them this, for the second, I want this name, and for the third, I prefer this.”

Kwalanda explained that among the Luhya people, it’s the men who name the children something he says did not sit well with his then lover Joyce.

“I am the carrier of the child. You get me expectant then come to dictate the names? I will name them according to my preference, whether you like it or not,” Maina retorted as per Kwalanda’s narration.

Joyce Maina Responds to Break-Up Claims

Responding to Kwalanda’s statements, Joyce Maina spoke about her current state of mind, emphasizing a phase of self-reflection and forgiveness for past actions.

She acknowledged making mistakes and allowing negativity into her life in the past.

“There is something I am trying to get across. I am at a phase of my life where I would 100% judge myself, like my past self,” Maina expressed, reflecting on her actions in 2019 and 2022.

Maina expressed a profound shift in perspective, noting that she feels like a completely different person.

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She emphasized the importance of extending grace and forgiveness to oneself, a practice often overlooked in comparison to how individuals treat others.

“The Joyce of 2019-2022 did some very stupid things. She let a lot of ‘rubbish’ into her life,” Maina reflected.

She continued, “I feel so different… I am at a phase where I can look back and think, who was that? I feel like a completely different person.”

Kwalanda’s Remarks on his Relationship with Joyce 

Nonetheless, Tony Kwalanda noted that he foresaw the potential for future conflicts, stating, “I saw that if we continued, we would encounter problems. I felt like the name was just the tip of the iceberg; there could be more underlying issues.”

He also mentioned that he heard Maina mention that when she’s pregnant, one day he should come home and cook for her.

Kwalanda acknowledged that he can cook and can do it in marriage, but some men don’t like being told or reminded.

Maina’s response to Kwalanda’s statements highlights the complexities involved in relationships, where love sometimes must navigate the challenging terrains of cultural beliefs and personal convictions.

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Maina’s journey of growth and self-reflection serves as a reminder that relationships are a constant work in progress, requiring open communication, empathy, and understanding.

The breakup of Tony Kwalanda and Joyce Maina is not an isolated incident. Cultural differences and the naming of children have been a source of contention in many intercultural relationships.

In some cases, these differences have led to misunderstandings, conflicts, and even breakups.

Maina, Kwalanda Love Story

Maina and Kwalanda began dating in 2018, and their relationship was often the subject of public interest due to their high-profile careers.

Joyce was at the time working as an actor and a show host at Switch TV, Kwalanda was also working at Switch TV as sports anchor. 

The two called it quits in 2021 after nearly two and a half years in a romantic relationship. Joyce Maina confirmed that the two were no longer together a couple on her social media page.

Talking to her Insta-Stories for a question-and-answer session, one of her fans asked, “Are you still dating Tony Kwalanda? I’m a big fan of you,” Joyce answered ‘No’

The two were believed to be very much in love and planning to spend the rest of their lives together after Kwalanda proposed at a beautiful event in October 2020, on the same night that the station (Switch TV) was celebrating its second anniversary, after the couple had dated for two years.