“We’re Friends”: Jackie Matubia Denies Dating Flashy Businessman Steve Odek After Video Leak

Kenyan actress Jackie Matubia has spoken out after rumours linked her to controversial businessman Steve Odek. The speculation began when blogger Edgar Obare shared a video allegedly showing the two together, sparking claims that they were romantically involved.

Is Jackie Matubia dating Steve Odek?

The rumours come nearly two years after Matubia split from her fiancé, actor Blessing Lung’aho, in 2023. At the time, she indirectly confirmed the breakup on Father’s Day by celebrating herself instead of Lung’aho, later suggesting online that he was an absent father.

This month, online sleuths shared clips of Matubia spotted in the same car with Odek, who has faced multiple arrests over alleged gold scams. The video showed his shirt while they were heading out, and Odek later posted his own video wearing the same outfit, fueling speculation that they were together.

What did Jackie Matubia say about the rumours?

Matubia quickly responded to the claims with a firm denial. “Na pia muache kuniharibia soko na hizi story za Steve Odek. Life is so private that y’all don’t know we have been friends since I was 18 years old, if I wanted I would have!” she wrote on Instagram Stories.

Her statement made it clear she was not in a relationship with Odek, despite the viral speculation.

How are fans reacting online?

Reactions have been divided. Some fans took her denial at face value, with one noting, “Jackie has said categorically that they have been friends with him since they were 18. Tiga goma koma.” Others, however, laughed off the familiar “we’re just friends” line. “We are used to this phrase, ‘We are just friends,’ 😂,” wrote one user.

While Odek’s relationship status with Ellah, socialite Amber Ray’s sister and his baby mama, remains unclear, the buzz around Matubia’s private life shows no signs of slowing down.

By Risper Akinyi