Kenyan actor and content creator Martin Githinji, popularly known as Daddie Marto, has broken his silence following explosive allegations made by his wife, Christine “Koku” Lwanga.
The pair who have been separated for the last couple of months and share three children are at the centre of a highly public and deeply personal crisis involving accusations of infidelity, emotional and financial neglect, and physical abuse.
In a series of emotional Instagram Stories posted on June 16, Koku laid bare harrowing details of alleged domestic violence and betrayal. She recounted how after years of supporting her husband—building a life together, making money and trusting him to organize for their family—she was met with violence and humiliation.
She described a chilling incident where Marto allegedly beat her repeatedly on the head, neck and back, leaving her swollen and on the floor in a fetal position after she caught him with another woman in his ‘bachelor pad’ close to their house. The assault, she said, only ended when a neighbour screamed for him to stop.
Koku expressed devastation over years of emotional unavailability that she now interprets as a symptom of long-term infidelity. She detailed how the betrayal left her deeply wounded and spiritually broken. “You owe me dignity, respect and consideration,” she wrote. “That wasn’t anger or rage, that was pain.” In a scathing rebuke, she accused her husband of not only cheating, but also stringing another woman along without being honest about his feelings.
The social media posts have ignited widespread attention and concern, prompting Marto to respond formally this afternoon. In a public statement, he denied the allegations in their entirety, calling them false and harmful. “I do not condone violence of any kind—physical, emotional or psychological,” he said.
While acknowledging the pain the online narrative has caused, he emphasized that the situation is more complex than what has been portrayed. He stated that certain key facts had been left out and that he intends to address the matter through legal channels, cooperating fully with relevant authorities.
Marto explained that he had previously chosen to remain silent out of respect for their children, hoping that the matter could be resolved privately. However, due to the virality and gravity of the allegations, he felt compelled to defend his character publicly. He thanked supporters who reached out and asked for restraint and compassion from the public as the situation unfolds.
The couple have long been seen as a united front, often sharing moments from their family life with fans. In past interviews, Koku had opened up about their parenting journey, including the dramatic roadside delivery of their third child, a story that went viral on social media.
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The situation has quickly gained traction on social media, sparking conversations about domestic abuse, emotional trauma, and the pressures of public marriages.