Image: Friendship is, and always will be us – Jacque Maribe to Dennis Itumbi

Former TV news anchor Jacque Maribe has finally spoken out about the enduring public perception that ties her romantically to Dennis Itumbi, Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects in the Office of the President.

Speaking on the Off The Grid podcast, Maribe revealed that the association has become so entrenched that even Google searches for “Dennis Itumbi’s wife” overwhelmingly display her pictures.

“If I Google ‘Dennis Itumbi wife,’ it’s only Jacque. Let me see. We’ll use this opportunity on this podcast. Just do the thing,” she joked.

Maribe admitted that the public’s assumption has seeped into her personal life.

“And we normally joke and say, ‘By the way, if we get to a certain age and we’re not married, we will just have to deal with this issue.’ Because we have already been married on social media. I see people saying there are in-laws on social media.”

With a laugh, she even teased that many people assume her son is Itumbi’s child:

“Oh, by the way, my child is his. Yeah, I forgot to mention. Yes. My child is also his.”

Much of the speculation dates back to a viral photo of Itumbi kissing Maribe. Itumbi has since explained that the moment was not romantic at all but a result of a party game.

“It was truth or bottles at a birthday party. The dare was either kiss Jacque or pay Sh50,000. I chose the kiss,” he clarified.

Despite its light-hearted context, the photo cemented years of public gossip about the pair.

Itumbi himself has often voiced regret that the narrative grew out of proportion.

“I sincerely wish that what you guys speak about with Maribe was true. I sincerely wish I had made it true because I think then it would have stopped,” he admitted.

He added that the “Jacque Maribe bit” has been so “overplayed” that he still has to explain himself to new people, while Maribe also faces constant questioning about their supposed relationship.

Both Maribe and Itumbi maintain that their bond has always been a deep friendship, not romance. At the height of speculation, Maribe was even dating someone else.

Their closeness, however, has been undeniable.

“She stood with me when I was in court. I stood with her when she was facing her own court process,” Itumbi said, reflecting on their years of mutual support.

He also acknowledged Maribe’s “magnetic charm” and ability to attract cameras, noting that any public appearance they shared was bound to spark headlines.

Despite the persistent rumours, the pair insist their connection is built on loyalty and discipline rather than romance. For now, Maribe and Itumbi remain amused spectators of a narrative they never authored but have learned to live with.