There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved, so goes the saying. Our local celebs are no exception as PULSE delves into the love stories fermented on showbiz.

It’s no secret that in the lively world of celebrities, most tend to date each other. The motivation is that celebrities understand what it’s like to be in the limelight constantly and can handle the pressure that comes from adoring fans without the relationship going haywire.

After all it’s common practice for many people to meet their significant other at the work place. Let’s not forget that some celebs would want to date fellow celebs so that they don’t dilute their celebrity status.

Brenda and Kantai

The duo’s story can at best be described as a stop-over kind of affair. Indeed Brenda, famed for the song Mos Mos— a collabo with the late E-Sir — met Kantai at a Westland’s studio where most local rappers frequented at the time. According to Kantai, it only took a few minutes for them to realise that they were ‘meant for each other’. In fact, in one of his interviews he described it as ‘love at first sight’.

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Without wasting time they decided to relay their feelings by doing a collabo, a love song, to prove critics wrong. At some point Brenda openly admitted to Pulse that they were deeply in love. However, it was not for long. A few months down the line after having had enough of him, Brenda decided to part ways with Kantai. She revealed to Pulse that Kantai’s love for the drink and infidelity concerns affected their relationship.

Like a jilted lover, she went ahead and composed a song Good for Nothing that became a big hit. Whether the song was a diss directed at Kantai remains matters of conjecture.

Ida Onyango and Lovi Longomba

The two lovebirds, story reads like a fairy-tale.

On their first meeting the cupid arrow appeared not to zero in on the target until a few days later during the 2006 Kisima Awards.

Ida — a US-based Kenyan singer-cum-actress— was visiting the country for the second time. At some point during the gala the two were engrossed in love world, sometimes getting cosy in public much to the chagrin of people around them.

Wahu and Nameless

Although at some point Lovi was reportedly unsure of their new found relationship, Ida on the other hand, would not let go off the handsome boy. Later Lovi and his brother Christian left for the US accompanied by Ogopa Deejays manager Emmanuel Banda to stage a show. It was at this point that Lovi chose to remain behind while Christian returned home alone. It’s true what they say that you know you are in love when you see the world in her eyes, and her eyes everywhere in the world.

As days turned into weeks and months what started out as a fling between the two turned out to be sealed deal. As Ida was expecting Lovi’s child, he was busy studying music at an American college sponsored by Ida’s parents. To date they live together as husband and wife and even plan to do a movie in Hollywood. Perhaps on their whirlwind love story!

Beryl and Johny Skani

The moment Mombasa-based promoter Beryl and rapper Johny Skani formerly of the Skani Flani met at a Coast Awards ceremony, nobody ever thought their flirt would culminate into a serious relationship. After all, the party-animal Beryl was known to socialise with many artistes. So this could as well be just another ordinary camaraderie chat. On the other hand, Johny Skani was known to be the typical rap gangsta, many of whom are unpredictable when it comes to relating with women.

But soon their much-cherished friendship grew into something special. Today, Beryl and Johny live together and have a baby girl called Zoria.

Attitude and Mercy Myra

The two are contenders of the oldest couple in showbiz. Like many couples they met at a Nairobi event where they were performing.

At the time Mercy Myra was one of the leading local artistes, admired by many. Attitude on the other hand was fresh from the US, and kept himself busy doing music with the likes of Bamboo and Chiwawa in a bid to get local hip -hop big in Kenya. But then with time what began as a chat in between performances matured into friendship before culminating into a serious relationship. As usual, this got people talking with critics saying it was only a matter of time before the two went separate ways. But weren’t they wrong? When Attitude left for the US – he made sure his fiancÈe followed him almost immediately. However, Attitude was soon back in the country, no not because of misunderstanding but to pay bride-price at Mercy’s homeland in Nyanza as a sign of commitment on his part. Now they happily live as husband and wife.

Talia Oyando and Ezekiel Onyango

For the sultry Night Nurse, her love is almost found in showbiz. After Jamaican Goldenchyl came, saw and conquered or shall we say came, saw and swept her off her feet? Now the knight in shining armour is none other than film and TV director and part time model Ezekiel Onyango. He has acted in such TV series as Maua and Reflections. There were rumours in June this year that the two had tied the knot in a secret ceremony, to which Talia reacted by insisting that she is not wearing any nuptial rings yet. But what is clear is that the two-showbiz personalities are sharing an unyielding love — even on Twitter.

Ezekiel’s profile picture on Twitter is a photo of him with the reggae music die-hard.

Sanaipei Tande and Andrew Manga

These are two musicians’ love life was a s

Manga and Sanaa
traight forward love-made-in-showbiz. After the release of the hit single Fever by Habib and Manga, the latter waned from the scene, only to resurface two years later, not in music, but in the company of singer Sanaipei Tande. The two had been spotted publicly in compromising positions severally, but still denied that something was brewing between them. As the two later found out, just like a pregnancy, no matter how much you try to conceal something, it will always come out. The artistes finally went public, about the relationship, which after about two years ended just two months ago.

Ray C and Mwisho

The rationale that some celebs date fellow celebs to maintain the celebrity status may be pitched against Mwisho Mwampamba and Tanzanian diva Rehema Chalamila a.k.a Ray C, both of who seem to be searching for love where the paparazzi cameras are clicking. Immediately the 29-year-old self employed representative landed in Tanzania after an impressive act in the first Big Brother Africa in 2003, news of him and singer Ray C hooking up spread faster than bushfire. They had no qualms about it, with Ray C featuring Mwisho in her music videos shot abroad. Not too long after, the relationship ended in the same showbiz it was consummated, only this time rumours that Ray C was scorned by Mwisho’s alleged re-attachment to Tanzanian feted rapper Rah P.

Ray C and Lord Eyez

It is apparent Ray C does not graze too far. In 2007, her next relationship was with rapper Lord Eyez of Nako 2 Nako rap group. Two years later the relationship was said to be on the rocks following a rumour that the rapper from Arusha was secretly dating Bongo Flava’s sensation Mwasiti of the popular Nalivua Pendo hit. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Ray C swiftly changed her Facebook relationship status to read ‘single’. Not too long thereafter their patching up followed. Could it be that the two lovebirds could not stay from each other? However, as of yesterday, her Facebook status was still reading ‘single’, whether this is a slight oversight or the state of the affairs only them can confirm.

Eric Wainaina and Sheba Hirst

"With great men come great flaws sometimes," was a phrase used in reference to Eric Wainaina and Sheba Hirst’s turbulent days following allegations of infidelity by the Twende Twende singer. The storm that almost rocked the sails out of this smooth sailing boat of ten years eventually withstood the waves of trials.

Sheba and Eric with their similar interest in music, met when Eric was in Berklee College of Music while she was in Wellesley College and history was written. The couple was blessed with a daughter Seben Mwaniki and later their second child before all hell broke loose.

They were the perfect example of couple that supports each other in every way. With Eric being the artiste and Sheba the brains, most couples would have used them as the ‘best marriage’ benchmark.

Big Kev and wife Tracy
The couple that always wore a ‘happy marriage’ face in public was put to trial when the fire Mo Faya burnt beyond the stage of the Musical Festival in New York.

Sheba who was the executive producer of Mo Faya, remained in Kenya as she was due to give birth, letting her husband the lead actor travel with his co-star Valerie Kimani.

But what is a perfect couple if they cannot stand together ‘for better or for worse’? Eric and Sheba, who never let go of their wedding bands during their brief separation, are reportedly back together and are even spotted at events together sharing laughs and dance together.

Big Kev and Tracy Ombajo

The Big emcee has had his fair share of love tales to tell. After a chick he opened his heart and his house too, took advantage of him, the gentle giant swore off chicks to concentrate on his music and his emceeing job. But as the wise men would have echoed "every cloud has a silver lining." Just as he was about to hang his hat and bow out of the world of conniving chicks, he met and married the beauty that got away – Tracy. Tracy and Kevin Ombajo met through the showbiz industry when Tracy was then a highflying model with titles like Miss Kenya and many others up her sleeve. The two were then very close friends and shared business ideas and clients before Tracy took off to the US to pursue her modelling career. When Tracy came back, she was even more welcomed by the ‘big strong hands’ of Big Kev and since the two were already well acquainted with each other, they tied the knot, in a low-key private wedding. They then separated briefly. Big Kev was getting tired of this whirlwind that come with relationships and decided to give his life to Christ through the Finger of God. And with the help of the jazz maestro Joseph Hellon, he and his wife were counselled back into their matrimonial home and are now happily married with a four old daughter. Seemingly, since then the two have developed a tighter bond.

Mwisho and Meyrl, Kevin and Liz

The reality show Big Brother Africa House has also seen a fair share of romance and love since its inception. The first couple to emerge during the reality show was high-flying Ugandan representative Gaetano Kaggwa and South African Abby Plaatjaes in BBA 1. Gae and Abby was a dream couple. After several months, the flame flickered out as Abby settled and married in Dar es Salaam. Likewise Gae also settled to marriage life with his lovely Ugandan flame. Exit Gae and Abby and enter Richard and Tatiana whose romance was one steamy affair.

The relationship died off when Richard won the money and went back to his Caucasian wife after three months of flirting with Angolan Tatiana. Now Tatiana has been on Mwisho radar for a long time even though Mwisho is now ‘engaged’ to Meryl. At one time Mwisho broke the BBA rules and intimated to Sheila that he must get Tatiana even if he had to track her up in Angola.

Meryl’s aunt and uncle as well as Mwisho’s brother attended the engagement ceremony thrown by Big Brother. So, this could be far from the publicity stunt that many have sought to label the engagement.

Even Big Brother 4 winner Kevin Chuwang of Nigeria and his newly engaged boo Elizabeth Gupta (former TZ rep in the same year) also happily together after Kevin landed the millions. It was hard to believe that Elizabeth who rebuffed Kevin’s advances in the house claiming he was too short — until he won the millions to become suddenly fell tall for her— look happy together.

It remains to be seen if, after getting engaged to the Namibian, Mwisho still wants a piece of Tatiana. With Meryl gone home and Tatiana back in the house we are in for interesting times.

Simiyu Baraza and Joy Wanjiku

The pair originally met in 2004, both interns at Parliament. At the time Joy was a print journalist while Simiyu had just been contracted to script Wingu la Moto for NTV. Later Simiyu went to work on Agenda Kenya in Medeva while Joy went to Royal Media. The pair officially started dating in 2007 when they were both involved with production. Simiyu had started his own production company, Simbavision and Joy was working at Medeva.

"I think what drew us together was the fact that we are both opinionated, we also have a love and passion for production," asserts Simiyu.

The couple got married last year. Joy has produced Agenda Kenya, The woman Show and the drama show Be the Judge on KTN Simiyu has directed and written the films, Toto millionare and Mr Love Doctor. They too work together. A History of Film in Kenya 1909-2009 which Simiyu directed and Joy produced, won a Kalasha Award two weeks ago.

"It is wonderful when you work in the same industry, she is the producer and I’m the director. Infact she is my boss (laughs) since in a production set the producer is the boss," adds Simiyu.

Others local celebs to have dabbed in love life include Mustapha and Marya, Brenda Mulinya and Allan Wanga, Debbie and Shaffie, Tequilla and Natty Gal, Nikii and Prezzo, Nasty Thomas and Deliah, Amani and AY, Diamond and Jacky Wolper, Cecilia Mwangi and Kanda King and Mbuvi and Kambua, among others.