Lilian Ng'ang'a during the interview with the Saturday Nation in Nairobi on November 5, 2021.
Lilian Ng'ang'a, 39, is a podcaster and partner of rapper and entrepreneur Juliani. She came into the limelight when she dated former Machakos governor Alfred Mutua, now Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection.
I am at a stage where I am speaking more and more since I became a mother. Our job is to protect (the society). I used to be quiet.
Sometimes I feel misunderstood (on social media) because people don't know who I am. I think it's because I've been in a box for a long time, where people think you're just a pretty face and therefore you have nothing to add. An example was when I gave my opinion on the political situation in our country and I was attacked on X.
No, I am not a barbie (rich kid). I grew up in Kiambu, we never lacked anything and just had a comfortable life. I would say I had a very privileged upbringing. I am the second born of three girls.
I'm super introverted. I don't like visitors in my flat because I feel it's my safe space. I'm not saying you shouldn't come, but you'll hardly ever find guests in my house.
I have problems with men who drink a lot or who are in such an environment. I don't drink, I used to when I was in my 20s. If you are a man and you have to drink, at least do it in moderation, because I believe that men should be aware of their surroundings in order to make sensible judgements.
A man who is very dishevelled would bother me. If we go out for lunch or coffee and I notice that you're disorganised, there won't be a second conversation.
I've always been stubborn and I think it's because I'm very clear about what I want and how I want things done. I don't see the need to be anything else.
There are boyfriends that I had in high school with whom we are still good friends.
I realised that I'm attracted to intelligence. I like a man who can stimulate my mind, who can teach me something I don't know. It's not about looks.
I have never been single in my life. I have always had a boyfriend, which I find quite interesting.
My first job was as a receptionist at the Safari Park Hotel. I made a lot of money from tips.
But my desire was to travel, so while I was at the hotel I applied for a cabin crew job at KQ and was selected. I never got any favours from anybody, just my references but also because I speak Spanish.
It was a good life as a cabin crew member. You can save a lot of money because you're not at home so much and you don't have a lot of bills. My rent at the time was 13,000 and I was earning over Sh100,000 a month. It's a very good place to be for someone who is young.
