Bahati’s former househelp opens up about walking away from Ksh100K nanny job
The former househelp of the Bahati family, Irene Nekesa, has finally broken her silence, revealing the intricate series of events that led her to walk away from her plush Ksh100,000 a month job at the celebrity couple’s lavish mansion.
Speaking in an interview with SPM Buzz on Thursday, February 20, 2025, Irene candidly shared that she found herself at a crossroads—torn between the allure of a comfortable paycheck and the yearning to be present for her family. Ultimately, she chose to forge her own path.
She revealed that her family desperately needed her physical and emotional presence, recalling how she had raised her son, Joshua, from the tender age of 11 while juggling her demanding duties in the Bahati household.
As Joshua grew older, Irene sensed his discomfort with living in someone else’s home, and her maternal instincts pushed her to make the tough but necessary decision.
“Tuseme tu kuacha kazi ilifika mahali nikasema tu acha nijisimamie kama mama. Niko na watoto pia watoto wangu pia wafeel niko na mama na ananitake care. Juu sometimes mimi nimework na my son Joshua na tumeingia hapa akiwa 11 years. Na sometimes kuwork na mtoto anafeel akiwa uncomfortable. Alafu pia lazima maisha isonge mtoto anazaliwa lazima aende kazi,” she said, hinting that it was time for her to stand on her own two feet.
Since leaving the celebrity home, Irene has taken a bold leap, launching her own YouTube channel.
She credited the Bahatis for nurturing her growth, saying they had supported her in all ways imaginable, and compared her departure to a chick finally growing feathers and being released from the hen’s protective wings.
“Wamenilea, nimegrow kina Bahati na wameniachilia mahali nimegrow pia niko poa tuseme ni kama vifaranga zikilelewa na kuku zikikuwa kubwa zinaachiliwa,” she fondly stated, acknowledging that her time with them had sculpted her into the independent woman she is today.
Hefty salary
Previously, during an appearance on Diana’s YouTube channel, Irene caused quite a stir when she revealed that she was earning a jaw-dropping Ksh100,000 monthly salary as their nanny.
Fans were left in awe, showering Diana with praise for her generosity. At the time, Irene expressed genuine happiness with her job, noting that the celebrity couple had given her far more than just a salary—they’d given her a life of comfort and opportunity, making her doubt she would ever leave.
However, by the final months of 2024, Irene made the bittersweet decision to part ways with the couple, putting an end to her tenure in their home.
She quickly clarified that there was no bad blood between her and Diana, insisting that she left purely out of a desire to spread her wings and implement the content creation skills she had learned from the couple.
Before her exit, Irene had worked for Diana for nearly two years, during which time she became a household name, thanks to Diana frequently featuring her in YouTube videos that showcased their warm and dynamic relationship.
Yet, just two days ago, on February 18, 2025, Irene’s stance seemed to take a dramatic twist.
In another interview, she firmly stated that she had no intention of ever returning to work at the Bahati mansion—despite recently asking for financial help, claiming she was struggling in her small bedsitter apartment.
“If you got a phone call from Diana or Bahati saying they would double your salary, would you return to work for them?” Irene was asked. Without hesitation, she responded: “I can never do that. I have moved on with my life.”
She went on to explain that, in the past, her identity was inextricably tied to her famous employers, but now, she stands tall as Irene Nekesa, a celebrated chef and brand in her own right.
“Now I am Irene Nekesa, the best chef,” she declared proudly. That said, she kept the door open for a cordial relationship with the couple, noting, “If they want to talk or play games, I am ready.” Still, she was resolute that her days as a live-in nanny were over.
“That is difficult. But someone might approach me to teach their nannies to cook or do other roles—that is what I’m doing. However, I cannot go live with an employer,” she asserted with finality.
Unfollowing incident
During the interview, Irene was also asked to address swirling reports that her former boss, Diana Marua, had unfollowed her on Instagram—despite Irene previously maintaining that their parting had been amicable.
With a dismissive shrug, she debunked the claims, saying she hadn’t even noticed and that, if anything, Diana might have made a mistake.
“No, it wasn’t like that. Even that unfollowing me on IG, maybe it is just by mistake because I haven’t seen that. I have just been receiving messages asking about that. Unless I was just holding my phone badly and it unfollowed itself.”
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