Amber Ray, Kennedy Rapudo Engaged Two Months After Break Up

Socialite Faith Makau, alias Amber Ray is off the market after being engaged to businessman and golfer Kennedy Rapudo on Wednesday, October 26.

Rapudo had paid a visit to Amber's family smartly dressed in a black and white suit with a red tie while his now fiancée donned a long African print silhouette attire.

The businessman in a video seen by Viral Tea was seen being handed a drink by Amber at her family home with Amber captured behind the scenes as the food was being prepared for the guests.

Amber Ray's sister, Ellah Ray, confirmed the news of their engagement, adding that she had gained a new in-law.

Amber Ray with Kennedy Rapudo at her family home. /ELLAH RAY.INSTAGRAM

“Congratulations Amber Ray and Kennedy Rapudo, May God bless your union,” Ellah Ray captioned the video of the two love birds.

From the introduction, it appears that the two have buried their differences which dominated gossip headlines in late August. A fan had asked Amber if the couple were still together, to which the socialite denied, adding that she was tired of pretending to be in a relationship she was not comfortable with.

“I know where it has reached, I might look like a joker but I don’t know how to pretend. If it is not working, it’s not working so love me the way I am,” she responded.

Rapudo on his part noted that their differences had only made the relationship between them worse. Nonetheless, he praised her as an amazing ex-partner with a good heart and wished her the best in her endeavours.

"She's a very nice person with an amazing heart and a beautiful soul. Mine is to wish her happiness and God's favour wherever she goes," he wrote.

Kamba Rituals Rapudo Must Go Through

By virtue of Amber hailing from the Kamba tribe, Rapudo has a series of courtship rituals now waiting for him.

Before a marriage ceremony is conducted, the groom (with his kin) must throw an important party popularly referred to as Ntheo which, if the clips are anything to go by, is such an example. This is the minimum requirement that demonstrates the bride officially belongs to the man she is engaged to.

Ntheo ceremony must involve at least three goats, one of which must be a he-goat that is not castrated. There is no restriction on the number of goats you can have, as long as it adds up to an odd number to be given to the bride’s family as part of the Ntheo ceremony.

At the ceremony, only a handful of close relatives of both sides of families are involved. The he-goat is then slaughtered by the groom, or alternatively a brother to the groom.

Further, the couple receives a piece of soft meat from the butchered goat known as kikonde, which they are required to consume as “an oath” that they will uphold the terms of their marriage.

Women and children are given soft drinks, while men are given Kaluvu, the local Kamba beer. It is the groom’s duty to make sure drinks are provided in an appropriate quality and quantity for all attending.

Once the Ntheo ceremony is done, the process of ‘buying a wife’ begins. The bride’s kin presents the numerous items they will require as dowry, which however can be paid in instalments discussed amicably by the two families involved.

Dowry is popularly referred to as Ngasya, and top of the list are 48 goats, which must eventually be delivered to the bride’s family. Others include two drums of honey, referred to as Ithembe, two blankets and two-bed sheets.

Amber Ray at a popular Nairobi club. /INSTAGRAM