Married 3-5 years · Money · Together today
One of us left home in our first 5 years - and we're still together
We have been married for 3 to 5 years. Ours is a church marriage. We have two children together. We live in Nyanza.
Both spouses' sides
When illness tests a marriage: stories from Kenyan couples
Long illness changes roles, money and intimacy. Couples who cared for each other through it share what kept them going.
What couples told us
How many named this challenge
4%
Based on 529 responses · updated 13 November 2026 · How we count
What helped most
Show the numbers
| Answer | People | % |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing helped | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Pastor, imam or faith leader | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| My family | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Professional counsellor | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Mentor or older couple | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| My spouse's family | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| No one | 0 | 0% |
| Friends | 0 | 0% |
| Elders | 0 | 0% |
| A book, course or seminar | 0 | 0% |
| Online groups or social media | 0 | 0% |
| Other | 0 | 0% |
Based on 21 responses · updated 13 November 2026 · How we count
What did not help
Show the numbers
| Answer | People | % |
|---|---|---|
| Silent treatment | 13 | 61.9% |
| Involving too many people | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Threatening divorce | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Friends or family taking sides | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Social media | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Leaving home | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Revenge | - | Hidden (fewer than 10) |
| Other | 0 | 0% |
Based on 21 responses · updated 13 November 2026 · How we count
How they built through it
Fight fair on this
- 1The carer needs rest and support too. Let others help so one person is not carrying everything.
- 2Keep talking about feelings, not only medicine and hospital bills.
- 3Make decisions about treatment and money together, as far as you can.
If you are not safe
Being hit, threatened or controlled is not a rough patch - it is abuse, and it is never your fault. Help is free and confidential, for women and men.