The raw vulnerability shared on podcasts and online forums offers a powerful counter-narrative. The initiative "That'sWhatSheSaid" stands at the forefront of this movement, empowering young women to "drop the mic" on pressing global issues by sharing authentic stories, sparking vital conversations, and building a community of changemakers. Recently, within this empowering space, popular digital content creator Chebet Ronoh made a profoundly personal revelation that has resonated deeply with her audience: "I have been in an abusive relationship and not just one." This admission, while perhaps not entirely new to long-time fans who have followed her public journey, underscores the continuous healing process she bravely navigates.
Ronoh's most detailed confession came in a candid tell-all interview with Lynn Ngugi on the "Rebuilding" show, where she peeled back layers of past trauma. She recounted a particularly damaging relationship with a man significantly older than her, a 33-year-old at a time when she was just 20. Admitting the age gap made her visibly cringe, Ronoh confessed, "I was with a very abusive person, but I didn't know it was abuse because I didn't know what love looked like at the time." This poignant admission highlights a critical aspect of abuse: the insidious way it can distort one's perception of healthy relationships, particularly when compounded by personal vulnerabilities like a people-pleasing nature. "I had this belief that I would do anything for this person to not leave," she explained, revealing the psychological trap she found herself in.
The union, as Ronoh described it, was a brutal "rollercoaster" that exacted a severe toll on her mental and emotional well-being. Disturbingly, she revealed how his narcissistic behaviour subtly transformed her own actions. "I saw myself acting in ways I'd never even known. I even became abusive as well," she confessed, illustrating the toxic cycle that can ensnare victims. The relationship also escalated to terrifying physical violence; Ronoh recounted instances of being "strangled over nothing," detailing the trauma of arguments spiralling from trivial matters into severe physical assaults. She candidly blamed aspects of her upbringing for her inability to "know better" and for allowing herself to be taken advantage of. The harrowing ordeal finally ended, she revealed, when the relationship culminated in his arrest, a stark and necessary breaking point.
This specific experience is set against a broader context of Ronoh's past dating history, which has included publicly discussed relationships with older men, often colloquially termed "sugar daddies" or "mubabas" back in 2023. Through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, she has openly shared the social awkwardness and internal pressures associated with these dynamics. Today, Chebet maintains a clear stance that she is no longer interested in pursuing such relationships, stating they required a level of "confidence and delusion" she simply does not possess. This evolution in her perspective signals a journey of self-discovery and a growing commitment to healthier relationship patterns.
