Kenyan digital creator and entrepreneur Robert Ndegwa Kamau, popularly known as Thee Pluto, and comedian-turned-media personality Thomas Magana, alias Oga Obinna, have opened up about the deeply personal challenges they face as fathers in the public eye.
Both content creators, who command large online followings, have found themselves navigating emotionally charged co-parenting battles that have stirred national conversations around fatherhood, access to children, and the pressures that come with fame.
In an interview on the Obinna Show, Thee Pluto spoke about how his breakup and the weight of parenting responsibilities took a toll on his emotional health.
He noted the struggles many parents face when balancing personal healing with raising children, noting that single fathers often confront unique barriers.
Pluto claimed that the main obstacle between him and his daughter, Zoey, is not her mother, Felicity, but Felicity’s mother, whom he accuses of blocking him from playing an active role in the child’s life.
Late last year, he revealed that tensions with his baby mama’s family had escalated to the point where he was allegedly denied access to his daughter.
Thee Pluto recalled organising an elaborate celebration intended both to mark his achievements and introduce Zoey to his friends, only for the plan to collapse after the family reportedly withdrew at the last minute.
Beyond the co-parenting dispute, Pluto has also faced intense public scrutiny over his business ventures, particularly forex trading. He has previously defended his investments, explaining that he ventured into the field years ago to diversify his income.
He noted that many Kenyan entertainers regularly contend with invasive gossip that often overshadows their work. For Pluto, the blurring of personal and professional life has made it difficult to draw boundaries, prompting him to call for more responsible reporting and respect from fans.
At the same time, Obinna disclosed he had found himself in a similarly complex situation. The father of five, who has long been open about his parenting journey, recently disclosed that he discovered he had a fifth child, Ella, several months after her birth.
Despite the unexpected news, he publicly embraced the child on Instagram, writing, “…Meet Ellany, no need for DNA, uyu ni wangu,” a post that drew widespread praise for his willingness to take responsibility.
However, Obinna later revealed that he has been struggling with what he describes as “limited access” to the child, saying he has at times only seen Ella through platforms like TikTok.
He argued that the initial arrangement allowing him to have the child over weekends was insufficient, expressing his desire to spend more meaningful time with his daughter.
The revelation triggered a fresh wave of mixed reactions online, with users questioning the circumstances and offering unsolicited commentary.
One user suggested that the situation was suspicious, while another questioned Obinna’s expectations given the child’s age. In response, Ella’s mother clarified that she had kept the matter private because she was upset with him.
The experiences of both Pluto and Obinna have sparked broader discussions about fatherhood in Kenya, particularly the emotional, social, and legal challenges men face when seeking access to their children.