Shaniqua’s love match

Kelvin is very much a straight man, and Shaniqua is just a character on TV, he is quick to clarify this as he touches his wife Naomi’s arm.

“They have never questioned my sexuality. Not my wife or my family, in fact when I was younger, I would be beaten up because of hitting on girls too much.’’

Well, today he is very much a man, and I even spot facial hair which leaves me wondering how long it takes Shaniqua’s makeup team to cover that up.

He however reveals that Shaniqua’s social media accounts are full of foreign men and Kenyan men living outside the country hitting on ‘her.’

Naomi has just had a baby, and she has that distinct incandescent glow of new motherhood. Her eyes crinkle with suppressed mirth at the thought of men propositioning her husband. They have an infant, baby Khangi, barely a month old, and they are still basking in the newness of parenting.

“I am in love with motherhood and in 10 years’ time, and if God wills, we’ll add two more children,” Naomi says.

“And if the fourth comes we won’t protest,” Kelvin says.

The first time they met, Kelvin did not think much would come out of it. He thought she was a tomboy, “I never thought that we would click,’’ he says. She on the other hand saw a celebrity and it was a journey she wasn’t thinking of starting.

“We met at a party about four years ago. Some time around Valentine’s Day. My friends had gone on a road trip and she was part of the group. My friends started posting photos online and I saw her and was curious about her. I asked them who she was and expressed an interest in meeting her.”

And so, after the road trip,his friends organised a party and there she was.

“It wasn’t love at first sight but I liked her because she seemed like a good girl,’’ he reveals.

A friendship ensued, one that led to sleepovers and very soon they were dating. Kelvin was keen to settle down and when he was sure she was the one, he moved fast. He introduced Naomi to his family, and met her family. That done, the lovebirds embarked on starting a family.

Marriage not easy

Being in the public eye exposed Kelvin to many adoring fans and some daring ones would brazenly hit on him.

“She doesn’t have an issue (with me being in the public eye) because we sat down and decided what we wanted to do. Marriage is about understanding each other. She found me doing this job and I can’t stop it because this is what feeds us. We respect each other and I would never want to break that. And I told myself that from day one.’’

Describing him as an optimist, understanding, and a caring man, Naomi doesn’t feel the least bit insecure because of the solid foundation they have built.

Kelvin has however learnt to deal with his wife’s hot temper.

“When she gets angry you can’t handle it. You have to walk out and let her calm down first,’’ he says.

“Because of the nature of his work, he travels a lot and sometimes that is nights away. It can be challenging for me,’’ Naomi adds.

But what’s the secret to their relationship?

“We pray a lot and of course we love each other. Because she is an artiste and she’s very funny, we’re always cracking jokes. I believe laughter is key. Our home is always filled with laughter,’’ he says proudly.

Also, he intentionally creates time to spend with the family.

“I seek advice from older people and someone once told me that no one ever has enough time. That time is created for important things no matter how busy you are. So you can never be too busy for family. I can never be busy for them because once I am, I have lost them.’’

They celebrate their fourth anniversary at the end of this month, and he says he has a surprise for her. A white wedding in the works? I prod.

‘’When God says Yes we will.  Because God’s timing is everything,’’ he responds.

As for now, they are enjoying their young family, and their journey together has just began.

But before they take their leave, Kelvin has one word for fellow artistes: “Make time for your family. Plan your time properly and respect each other because there are so many misconceptions about celebrities.”

And to the single women? “So many women say they can’t date a celebrity so who do you expect us to date? Some are notorious with women but not all of us. There are some good men like me and I honestly think I’m the best!’’