Justina Syokau has described how even her own mom didn’t support her leaving her abusive marriage.
In an interview, Syokau says her mom wanted her to stay inspired by a paranoid fear of stigmatisation.
Her mother in law not cherishing her exacerbated things considering her husband was cheat too.
Offering her experience to , Syokau said;
‘In Kamba community, a single mother is seen as a failure and an embarrassment to the family. I remember there is a day I was told to pack my clothes and leave my matrimonial house and my mother was present and she did nothing.
My mother-in-law would sometimes come and sit/sleep in my bed and when I complained my husband then would brag about how his mother comes first before anyone else.”
Justina says it’s not very wise for couples to get married young;
“We are always taught to go to school, start working, and then get married. Most people who get married young are not mature, If had gotten married later I could not have tolerated all the ill things I went through.
I was so depressed in that marriage and wished I could have a mum who would defend me. At first, I would explain myself to people but when I realised people do not get you I decided to let them assume what they want.”
Her advise to parents;
“Always fight for your kids. I never had anyone to defend me. The only person who supported me was my late father-in law. My now ex-husband never cared. He would take me to their home and tell me nkichoka nirudi kwetu.”
