Marya Okoth explains why most marriages fail.

In a refreshing take amid growing skepticism about marriage, fast-rising actress and digital content creator Marya Okoth has come out strongly in defence of the institution. 

The 25-year-old mother of one insists that marriage is far from being a “scam,” despite not being married herself.

A Beautiful Institution with Challenges

Marya acknowledges that marriage presents its fair share of difficulties, but she argues that these challenges do not diminish its value. 

“No, no, no, I don’t think marriage is a scam. In fact, I believe it is a very beautiful thing,” she said, countering media personality Eddie Butita’s recent claims. 

She points out that many couples worldwide are happily married and successfully making their unions work. 

However, she believes that the problem lies not in marriage itself, but in how people approach it.

The Real Problem? Lack of Preparation

Marya draws an interesting parallel between marriage and professional careers to illustrate her point. 

“You spend 18 to 25 years in school learning a skill like journalism, but marriage is the only institution where you get just two weeks of counselling before receiving a ‘certificate,'” she explains. 

According to her, this lack of proper preparation, combined with unrealistic expectations, sets many couples up for failure. 

“You enter without enough knowledge or experience, and then the patience to learn and grow together is what’s missing. That’s why many marriages break down.”

Speaking from Experience

Marya’s perspective comes from her own journey in a serious relationship. She has a three-year-old daughter, Circe Gaona, with veteran comedian and content creator YY Comedian. 

The two dated and lived together, with Marya even moving in after their first date a decision she has openly discussed in past interviews. 

Their relationship ended in late 2024, shortly before YY publicly introduced a new girlfriend, Noella (a relationship that also did not last). 

At the time, YY clarified that while they were never legally married, their bond resembled a traditional marriage.

A Hopeful Outlook

Despite her own breakup, Marya remains optimistic about marriage. 

She emphasises that patience, mutual growth, and a willingness to learn are key to making it work. “It’s not marriage that’s the problem it’s how we handle it,” she insists.

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