Radio presenter Alex Mwakideu has advised married couples to avoid couples retreats, saying they may do more harm than good in relationships.
Speaking in a candid message on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Mwakideu warned that many marriages in Kenya are falling apart, adding that couples should be careful about activities they engage in outside their homes.
“Ndoa zinasambaratika hii Kenya,” Mwakideu said.
“Do not go for a couple retreat. Ukitaka kumpeleka bibi yako out mpeleke lakini usiende couples retreat at all.Nendeni peke yenyu mkaenjoy.”
He also advised against married couples frequently going out together in groups of married friends, saying it can create unnecessary comparisons, pressure, and misunderstandings that may strain relationships.
“In fact, when you get home after couples retreat in kesi juu ya kesi,” he added.
According to him, such social outings may lead couples to compare their marriages with others, sometimes fuelling insecurity, gossip, or conflict.
He noted that in his years of marriage, he has never attended a couples’ retreat, suggesting he does not see the need for them in strengthening relationships.
“For the years I have been married sijawai kuenda kitu inaitwa couples retreat,” he disclosed.
Disadvantages of couples’ retreat
Going out as married couples in groups with other married friends can have both positive and negative effects on relationships.
On the downside, it may sometimes lead to comparison between couples, where partners start measuring their own relationship against what they see in others.
This can create unnecessary pressure, insecurity, or feelings of inadequacy, especially if one couple appears more “happy” or “successful” than another.
Such group outings can also expose couples to gossip or outside opinions about their relationships.
When private matters are discussed in social settings, they may be misinterpreted or shared further, leading to misunderstandings or conflict.
In some cases, constant group socializing can reduce privacy and personal time for couples, which is also important for strengthening intimacy and communication in a marriage