Big name, no money: Irene Khaemba, the ex-nanny speaks

Having worked with the celebrity couple for six years, Irene’s life seemed picture-perfect online, but after leaving her job, she says she was faced with a harsh reality.

Back to life in a bedsitter, the mother-of-two told Nation Lifestyle how she spent nights sleeping on the floor until a kind-hearted online fan donated a mattress and bed.

Her story shines a light on the unseen struggles behind the facade, proving that social media often only tells part of the story.

Q: Who is Irene?

Irene Khaemba, popularly known as Mama Yao, was born and raised in Bungoma County as one of eight children. Growing up, I enjoyed a stable family life with my mother running a business and my father working as a farmer. However, life took a difficult turn when my father became an alcoholic, leaving our family in financial turmoil.

These challenges forced me to drop out of school at Class 7 and I got married at 17. Unfortunately, the marriage lasted only a year as it was not the peaceful life I had hoped for.

Leaving my child in the care of his father, I decided to look for work and support my family, determined to make a better life for myself. A friend helped me move to Nairobi, where I got my first job in Eastleigh, earning Sh3,000 a month.

I was 19 when I got my first job as a nanny.

That job lasted just two weeks before I moved to Dandora for another job, which I did for four months before leaving due to instability.

Q: What were your first days as a househelp like?

When I started I had never seen a microwave before, I thought it was a small television. I was a naive village girl. My lack of exposure even showed in the way I dressed, because I was fresh from the village.

I had never seen a flat-screen TV either, and I was used to a simple push-button mobile phone.

My first employer was not very patient with me, so I quit after two weeks. Despite the short time, I managed to learn a few things, like basic cleaning techniques.

Q: How did you end up working at Bahati's house?

I had worked in four other homes before finding myself at the Bahati’s. At the time, I was going house to house looking for cleaning gigs.

One day, I found a job at an apartment to wash clothes, and do dishes. I had no idea who Bahati was. It wasn’t until my third visit that their son mentioned his dad’s name.

I then noticed a photo on the wall of Bahati with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and that is when I realised I was working for them. But I did not know much about the family then.

For almost a year, I worked as a day worker before they asked me to move in and become their nanny. Their firstborn daughter was only five months old.

My first salary at their home was Sh800. Later, when I moved in, they allowed me to come with my son. He became part of their family for six years.

Q: The assumption is working in a celebrity's home comes with perks and higher salaries, did you start saving immediately and how much were you paid?

I barely saved. I tried, but it was hard because my family depended on me. I was paying school fees for my three siblings and my parents and son were financially dependent on me.

But I managed to put aside about Sh2,000 every month which helped me buy a small parcel of land in the village. I also built my parents a semi-permanent house, although it is incomplete.

I was not making a lot of money like it was reported on social media.

They never paid me Sh100,000 a month. That was just a figure I said during a TV interview. There was a lot of pressure after that. But I do not want to talk much about my salary.

Q: The dark side of being a popular nanny, on social media, is that your woes also trickle to the public arena. How did this make you feel?

Of course, I felt bad. Most of the time, when I made a mistake, I would report it before Diana asked about it. It was always better that way. She was very understanding.

Q: You said you had little cooking skills, yet one of the things that made you popular online is the good food you'd cook for the Bahati’s. How did you learn how to cook?

I was taught by a woman I had worked for before being hired by the Bahati’s. Even if you watch the videos, you’ll see I already know how to cook mandazi. Diana taught me how she wanted her food cooked. We would cook together, sometimes picking recipes from YouTube.

Q: Did you make money from appearing in their YouTube videos? Did you sign a contract deal with them on perhaps revenue-sharing?

I started appearing in their videos after they bought me my first smartphone. Then, they opened my Instagram pages and they would shoot content for me and show me how to post. About earning from their content... I was supporting my bosses. I cannot explain more about that. They gave me a platform.

Q: At what point did you start driving?

I started driving when the Bahati’s were filming their reality show, Being Bahati. As part of the show, I was included in the family for acting purposes, and driving became one of my roles. I never went to a formal driving school; instead, Diana taught me how to drive. Although I don’t have a driving license and have not driven on major roads, I have gained some experience and confidence over time. I would park their cars and handle smaller driving tasks.

I will have to go to driving school to get a license.

Q: What has the transition been like after moving out of the Bahati's?

Moving out was a significant change for me. It has been challenging.

I had thought of quitting the nanny job but I was afraid until November when I finally left. I left with just my clothes. I had not bought anything. Someone helped me look for a house just in the same area where my former bosses live. I left a mansion and rented a bedsitter. I had to sleep on the floor for three days because I did not have much to start with. I turned off my phone during those first days because I was not ready to explain my decision to my parents. Adjusting was challenging, especially when it came to managing bills and buying food. At the Bahatis’ home, I never had to worry about such things, I could simply ask for what I needed.

But now, everything is on me, and I have had to learn to manage on my own.

My sister eventually told my parents, and they were deeply affected. My parents felt I was not supposed to leave the job, but I always knew that living in Bahati's home was not permanent.

It was where I worked, but it was not my family or my future.

Before I left, I took my son home and explained to him that after the school holiday, we would be starting a new life.

Q: Is it true that Diana fired you?

I have come across those stories online, but the truth is that I was not fired. When my time to leave came, we had a long discussion. I had just posted my first video on my YouTube channel. They felt that I had grown and was ready to become independent. Since I left, I have not been in touch with the family. There have also been allegations online claiming that I stole money from them. I want to clarify that those accusations are completely false. I did not steal any money.

Q: What are you proud of after the six years?

The fact that I have been able to show love and support to my parents who are like my children, especially my father.

I remember how he used to visit me with a bottle of alcohol in his hand. When I started earning a good income, I began buying for him soda instead. Over time, he quit alcohol completely. That is something I hold dear, it feels good to have played a role in helping him change his life.

I used to buy him a bottle of soda every day but that has stopped because I can no longer afford Sh40 every day.

Q: What is next for Irene?

Right now, what I know best after living with the Bahati’s is how to create content. I am focusing on building my brand through social media. I plan to create content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok and explore opportunities to grow my presence there. I am eyeing to work with different brands as I market their businesses. I would also want to get married and have a family.

Q: What is your parting shot?

Do not believe everything you see on social media, life behind closed doors is rarely as easy as it looks.

To the girls starting in housework, I encourage you to stay humble and work diligently in your positions.

To the female bosses, I urge you to be kind to your nannies. Treat them with respect, and create an environment of understanding.

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