Joyce Gituro, the former Head of Radio at Royal Media Services, has shared the challenges she faced after parting ways with her husband. Speaking candidly during an interview on The Lynn Ngugi Show, the veteran media personality opened up about her career journey, her experience with love, and the struggles of navigating life as a single mother.
A Flourishing Career
Joyce enjoyed a successful career in radio and had always envisioned leaving the corporate world by the age of 50 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. However, she made this transition earlier than planned, resigning from her position at Mediamax at the age of 46 to establish her own public relations company.
A Marriage That Introduced Her to Faith
Although she initially hesitated to discuss her marriage, Joyce revealed that her ex-husband played a significant role in introducing her to church and salvation. Despite their separation, she maintained a respectful outlook on their past and encouraged her children to remain connected to their father, urging them to share part of their income with him once they started earning.
Reflecting on their time together, Joyce described how her former husband inspired many through his preaching and led others to Christ. “My former husband would preach, and people would get saved. So many admired us—they’d see us smiling with our children in church,” she recounted.
However, their marriage ended, leaving Joyce devastated. “This is the man who led me to Christ, and then he left me,” she said, describing the pain of their separation. Struggling to cope, Joyce fell into depression and turned to alcohol, a battle that took her four years to overcome.
The Complexities of Dating as a Single Mother
Joyce’s attempts at dating after her separation were far from easy. “I tried dating, and there were moments I thought, maybe it’s better to go back to my ex-husband,” she shared humorously.
She acknowledged the unique challenges single mothers face in the dating world, expressing deep respect for men who fully embrace women with children. One of her relationships lasted two years but eventually fell apart due to a lack of effort from her partner. “At first, it was a good relationship with a mature person, but over time, I started questioning where it was headed. He didn’t want to make time for me and the kids,” she said.
Facing Stereotypes and Isolation
Beyond dating, Joyce also encountered stigma from married women. Some distanced themselves from her after her separation, suspecting she could be a threat to their marriages.
She recounted an instance where she was denied membership in a women’s savings group (chama) because she lacked a husband. “After we separated, some married women cut ties with me. They doubted my morals and thought I might ‘snatch’ their husbands,” she said, highlighting the harsh judgment single mothers often face.
Despite these challenges, Joyce continues to inspire many with her resilience, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to her faith, family, and career.
