RHONairobi: Meet Vera Sidika, "the most googled celebrity in Kenya"

Thirty-three-year-old Vera Sidika is no stranger to the limelight. In fact, she declares in her introduction video on The Real Housewives of Nairobi: “I’m the most googled celebrity in this country, more than the president, and that’s on, period!”

Watch Vera’s introduction

As we get ready for Vera to make her debut on The Real Housewives of Nairobi from 23 February 2023, get to know more about her, what motivated her to join the show and what to expect from her.

Why did you want to be in The Real Housewives of Nairobi?

People think they know me, and that my life is an open book, but honestly, it’s not. I feel like The Real Housewives of Nairobi is a great platform for people to know who Vera is. People will get to know me in a very deep way, and understand the kind of personality and character that I have.

Has the show met your expectations of what you thought it would be?

Honestly, it’s a rollercoaster so it’s exciting, sometimes it’s sad, sometimes it’s horror, and sometimes it’s fun. You make new friends, you fight, you make up. It’s all sorts of emotions and I think that’s the beauty of reality, that life is not perfect. I think I’ve had a great time meeting the ladies. Some of them are my best friends; I didn’t actually think I’d make friends with some of them but we ended up clicking, and it’s been a really good journey honestly. I love it.

In your own words, what does it mean to be on The Real Housewives of Nairobi?

In today’s world, and in my world, a housewife is not like a stay-at-home mum anymore. A housewife is a boss; she runs the city, literally. And so, The Real Housewives of Nairobi is simply a group of elite women who are business owners, who do big things and take over the city. We’re just the it girls!

I think it’s a great thing for the audience to get to experience our lives outside of being mums and wives, in terms of building friendships and connecting with each other. It’s very important to showcase that, and I think that’s what The Real Housewives is about – it brings women who are of a certain standard together.

What can fans expect from you in The Real Housewives of Nairobi?

I think my fans expect to see so much drama; that’s what people think when they hear the name Vera Sidika. They just think, “Oh my God, the drama is just too much.” But the funniest thing is that I’m a very sweet person, an amazing mum, a great wife, and I think that’s the side that most Kenyans don’t get to see. This is going to be a different book because what they expect wouldn’t be as much as what they’ll get to see. I’ve been very misunderstood a couple of times and I think this is a very great space for people to get to know Vera and be the judge.

How does Brown Mauzo feel about you being on the show and letting in cameras into your home?

My husband has been very supportive; he’s my biggest cheerleader. Anything I would love to do or anything I get involved in; he supports me a hundred percent. We’ve allowed our daughter to also be on the show, and he also supports that. It’s just so beautiful because it’s not easy to get a man who’s willing to really cheer you on and say, “Big up, you’re doing good. Keep going!” I feel like I’m very blessed that I have a very open-minded man who understands that it’s all about growth.

How has it been for you going through this journey of filming The Real Housewives while heavily pregnant?

I’m almost due so it’s not been easy. People think it’s easy, like you’re just living your life with cameras around you, but it’s not. It takes a lot of dedication and commitment. There are times when you feel like today is not the day because you know with pregnancy, sometimes you’re feeling tired. But at the end of the day, you really have to commit yourself to the project. And I think I’ve really given a hundred percent.

All episodes of The Real Housewives of Nairobi are streaming on Showmax.