Kenyan stand-up comedian and digital content creator Oliver Otieno, widely known as YY, has shared insightful advice for fellow fathers navigating co-parenting after a breakup.
Speaking to Milele FM presenter Ankali Ray on Thursday, July 3, 2025, YY asked baby daddies to take full control and make efforts to be in their child’s life.
The comedian added that once someone is a baby daddy, he should not react to anything, not even feel the need to explain or justify himself, but instead just let things run their course.
He emphasised that as a baby daddy, one should not try to over-explain oneself to anyone, including his baby mama; instead, stay focused and don’t get entangled in drama.
“Kama mwanamume, lazima uchukuwe usukani; ukishakuwa baby daddy, lazima uchukuwe usukani kabisa. Ukishakuwa baby daddy, usikuwe mtu wa kureact; usireact to anything na hata usiwai taka kujiexplain ama kueleweka; wacha vitu virun vile vinarun,” YY advised.
He stressed that the child’s best interest must come first, adding that if something does not benefit the child, they should not engage in it.
“Usitake kujielezea sana kwa watu na kwa yule mnalea na yeye wewe focus usijibizane that is the only way inaweza saidia,” YY added.
“We are living in a perfect world where differing in opinion is part of us, but when you differ in opinion, try as much as possible not to entangle anything in the italeta mavutano child’s interest, ndio ikuwe ya kwanza kabisa, priority number one in interest ya mtoto ka si interest ya mtoto usiengage hiyo ndio siri.”
Months after his split from content creator Marya Okoth, YY has remained focused on co-parenting their daughter, Circe Gaona, in a stable and positive environment.
YY on post-break-up
On October 19, 2024, the comedian, in a candid conversation with Ankali Ray, highlighted his commitment to maintaining respect for Marya, especially because they share a child.
“She is the mother of my child, and I’m the father of her child. Nobody is perfect, and there are things that we can’t just air in public. What happened happened, and I have moved on,” he said.
He further disclosed that they weren’t legally married, their bond was more than a casual ‘come-we-stay’ arrangement.
“Let me put that straight and maintain some respect. In as much as we didn’t get married legally, it’s just the documents that we didn’t have. We treated each other as husband and wife. Papers are just a formality,” he declared.
“I don’t want people going around disrespecting what Marya and I had saying, it was a come-we-stay marriage. No, it was not.”
Breakup
Marya announced the breakup with YY on Instagram on Thursday, September 5, 2024. She cited “unavoidable circumstances” for the split and asked fans for privacy.
Marya expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received throughout their relationship.
“Hello and good morning. We are saddened to let you know that Marya Okoth and YY Comedian will no longer be together due to unavoidable circumstances. Thank you for your love and support through our union. We expect individual privacy from each one of you,” Marya said.
