Money matters can make or break a relationship, but according to financial advisor and author Mwatha Njoroge, couples don’t have to sweat it to win financially.
In a candid and energetic video shared on TikTok, Mwatha dropped truth bombs (and a few mic drops) on what’s holding couples back from financial freedom and how they can fix it.
“Unataka kufanikiwa kifedha kama wanandoa? Kuna tabia fulani lazima muache. Moja ya tabia hizo ni kuweka siri za kifedha. Kwa kweli, hii ni tabia mbaya.Want to succeed financially as a couple? There are certain habits you must drop,” he began. “One major one is keeping financial secrets. Honestly, that’s a bad habit.”
Black tax, and unspoken debts
He emphasized that financial secrecy in marriages was dangerous.
“You lend in secret. You borrow in secret. Then creditors show up at your home, carting away your stuff because you didn’t pay back the loan.”
Ukikopesha, husemi. Ukikopa, husemi. Halafu watu wanakuja nyumbani kuchukua vitu kwa sababu hukulipa deni.”
Black tax also got called out. Mwatha described how some people secretly send money to relatives, then end up sinking into debt and brokenness to an extent that they can’t support their own house.
@daringachieversnetwork
“Ndugu yako anasema anakuja kutembea, kumbe lengo ni kuomba pesa kwa siri. Unasaidia watu wa kijijini halafu kila wakati unasema hauna pesa. (Your brother says he’s just visiting, but he came for money, which you don’t tell your spouse. You give them. You support folks back in the village without a plan, then claim you’re broke).
He urged couples to communicate openly about money including doing open and thorough budgeting, and sharing financial responsibilities.
“One person can’t be in charge of everything, cars, land, household bills, while the other stands there like a statue.”
And when it comes to investing? He said, leaving it to flow hoping a miracle will happen is big mistake.
“If you can’t sit down and say, ‘Let’s invest in a money market fund or government securities together,’ then you’re going nowhere fast.”
Mwatha also urged couples to learn the basics, SACCOs, index funds, money market funds, and especially stocks.
“Learn about stocks—they’re long-term and provide passive income. When you no longer have the strength to work, your shares will earn you dividends.”
Kenyans flex their account balances on X
The advice couldn’t come at a better time.
On X (formerly Twitter), Kenyans recently lit up the timeline with jaw-dropping account balances after being prompted to share what’s in their wallets. And let’s just say… “Ni wewe tuu huna pesa” is more than just a meme now.
From Sh3 million balances to folks stuck at Sh214.65 with a maxed-out Fuliza, the reveal became more than a flex. It became a wake-up call. Many users said it challenged them to start saving, investing, and planning smarter.
