Nairobi News

Media personality Dennis Okari has candidly discussed his divorce from his ex-wife Betty Kyallo, revealing he entertained the idea of not getting married again.

Speaking at the Daughters of Zion (DOZ) meeting held at the Jubilee Christian Church (JCC) on June 24, 2023, Okari shared his struggles and the challenges he faced after his divorce.

One of the most difficult aspects for Okari was carrying the label of ‘Divorcee,’ which he described as the worst thing he had to endure.

The former NTV anchor admitted it took him a considerable amount of time to overcome the stigma, and it was even more challenging when it came from within the church community.

“I found myself in a place where fellow brethren told me, ‘Dennis, you can’t serve the church to a certain level when you are a divorcee,'” Okari recounted.

Seeking clarification, he approached the pastor to inquire if he could serve in the church before getting married again, and the response he received was disheartening.

“That is not your portion,” the pastor told him.

These experiences left Okari with deep-seated feelings of resentment towards women.

He struggled to pray for them in church and associated them with betrayal and broken trust.

The wounds inflicted by the judgment and scriptures quoted by people close to him in the church community were particularly painful.

During this challenging period, Okari developed a strong aversion to the idea of remarriage, convinced that he was done with relationships.

“I could not trust any woman ever again,” he admitted.

“It took me three years to overcome the hate and the process of divorce.”

However, after three years, Okari experienced a transformative moment when God brought healing into his life through his wife, Naomi.

Reflecting on that pivotal moment, he shared a profound realization.

“One day, I was in the office, and I looked at the TV. I heard a voice saying, ‘Do you remember the prayer you made to me 15 years ago?’ It was a list of things I wanted to see in my future wife.

As I looked at that list, it turned, and I saw Naomi. I saw her photo, her name. I didn’t know much about her, so I initially rejected the idea and told God that it was not what I wanted. But after a few weeks and months, I started searching myself.”

While Okari thought he had healed immediately after his second marriage, he discovered that healing is a lifelong process.

Having been married for only six months in his previous marriage, reaching the six-month mark in his current marriage triggered worry and anxiety.

Dennis celebrated his fourth marriage anniversary with his wife Naomi in February, 2023.

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