Veteran Kenyan gospel singer, Owen Mwatia, better known as Daddy Owen, has shared a candid and emotional reflection on the pain of divorce, comparing it to grief but with wounds that never fully heal.
Speaking on the Joyride podcast, the celebrated artist explained that while psychologists often describe death as final and easier to accept, divorce is far more complicated, particularly when children are involved.
“Death is final. You cry, you mourn, and eventually, you accept,” Owen said. “But divorce? It’s a wound that keeps reopening.”
For the singer, the most difficult part of separation is the unavoidable connection that continues through co-parenting. He noted that even when emotions such as bitterness or unresolved feelings linger, former partners must still face each other because of their children.
“You have to see them. There’s no escape,” he said, adding that children often do not understand the dynamics, which forces parents to hide their pain in an effort to protect them.
Daddy Owen also highlighted the sense of disruption divorce brings to one’s life. Unlike death, which marks a definitive end, divorce creates uncertainty and confusion. “For men, life feels like a series of milestones. Divorce throws you back to a place of disorientation,” he reflected.
The artist, who has personally endured the challenges of divorce, also shared advice for public figures, urging celebrities to shield their spouses during media interviews. Careless words, he cautioned, often resurface and worsen the pain.
Despite the challenges, Daddy Owen acknowledged the importance of unity in marriage and the deep void left after its collapse. “When you’re with your wife, you feel whole. After divorce, it’s like something that belonged to you no longer exists.”
His heartfelt testimony has resonated with many Kenyans, sparking conversations about the hidden struggles of divorce, co-parenting, and the emotional resilience required to rebuild life after separation.
