Talented Kenyan actor Lenana Kariba has openly discussed his role as a stay-at-home dad, encouraging more men to embrace this rewarding responsibility.
In a recent Q&A session with fans on Instagram, Kariba shed light on his family life and the unique arrangement he has with his wife, Helen.
When asked if he works in both London and Kenya, Kariba responded, “I only do acting in Kenya for now. While Ava is still small, I want to spend as much time as possible with her, teaching her and enjoying her young years. I’m still working with some brands doing content creation which I can do from anywhere in the world.”
A fan then inquired if he would recommend being a stay-at-home dad to other men.
Kariba replied enthusiastically, “Yep, 100% stay-at-home dad and it is the best. We are lucky with our setup as wifey works from home in the UK. So for lunchtime and little breaks, she comes and plays with us, but I definitely take the lead in childcare during the week.”
He added, “To my men, what are you waiting for? Daddy life is awesome, and if it makes sense financially, trust me, you’ll have the best time watching your little one grow.”
In response to a question about supporting his family financially, Kariba explained, “I make money coming back to Kenya for acting work. I still do content creation work and have some other passive income from assets I own in Kenya.
“That’s given me the freedom to be very chilled in the UK. Wifey has a traditional corporate job working for a huge company, and she has really climbed the ladder, so she gets a monthly income that more than covers our needs in the UK. So I keep all my income in Kenya, and we use it when we are there and for building our new home.”
Another fan asked what factors determine where they settle as a couple. Kariba responded, “For now, my wife’s job dictates where we live, and the UK is working well for us, as the process to get citizenship here is a five-year journey that means you’re stuck.”
Despite relocating to the UK, Kariba noted that he has never felt lonely, as he has friends there.
The actor, whose wife is two years older than him, shared that they welcomed their first child, Ava, in May 2023.
Kariba and his wife met at a friend’s house party, and their relationship has since flourished.
His candidness about balancing work, family, and living abroad offers a refreshing perspective on modern fatherhood and the joys of being a stay-at-home dad.
