Simon Kabu and Sarah Mtalii Clash Live on Radio Over Unpaid Salaries and Divorce
A live radio broadcast took an unexpected turn when Bonfire Adventures Chief Executive Simon Kabu called in during an interview featuring his ex-wife and co-founder, Sarah Mtalii.
Sarah was answering questions on Massawe Japanni’s mid-morning show when Kabu was phoned to address allegations concerning unpaid staff salaries at the travel firm.
Unexpected Call Disrupts Live Broadcast
Radio presenter Massawe Japanni was interviewing Sarah about claims that company employees had gone without pay. Kabu joined the conversation to address the topic directly.
“It was Sarah’s interview, not my interview,” Kabu said on air. “Na I would not want to discuss the mother of my children kwa radio.”
Unpaid Salaries and Online Claims
During the on-air exchange, Sarah denied that company salaries remained unpaid. She stated that all employee payments were up to date as of the previous month. She pointed out that the current month had not yet ended.
“Simon, you are claiming that employees haven’t been paid. What I’m asking is, how many months have they not been paid? Because what I know is that all salaries have been paid up to last month,” Sarah pressed Simon.
She offered to share screenshots confirming the salary transfers.
Simon, in response, threatened to expose everything online, detailing how employees have gone for months without pay.
“Can I send them online for everyone to see? Can I show the salaries that I have paid with my own money while you cancelled cheques?” Simon asked Sarah.
Personal Rift and Divorce Remarks
Kabu addressed their relationship status directly during the call.
“Me and you, we are divorced and we are not husband and wife,” Kabu told Sarah. “Tumeachana, we are no longer husband and wife, so sitaki unipende, sitaki nikupende. So, let’s be divorced na tuendelee na maisha.”
Kabu added that he respects Sarah as the mother of his children. He indicated that if he were to appear for a full interview, he would bring physical financial documents.
“I will call mine na niseme watu na mimi I will come with files of receipts,” Kabu said.
High-Stakes Battle Over Corporate Assets
Kabu and Sarah established Bonfire Adventures as a prominent tour agency in Kenya. Their personal split has expanded into high-stakes litigation over company assets.
At the High Court, Kabu sought KSh1.86 billion in accumulated licensing fees and a monthly fee of KSh14.4 million for 48 Safaricom telephone lines registered under his name. Sarah applied for court orders to stop Kabu from altering or deactivating the lines, arguing they were essential to client operations.
The High Court dismissed Sarah’s application, leaving the operational dispute unresolved.