Zippy Okoth, a senior lecturer at KCA University, is an accomplished filmmaker, storyteller, and gender-based violence activist.

Her passion lies in using stories to challenge societal narratives about women, create safe spaces, and inspire healing.

Yet, her own life is a tapestry of unexpected moments, one of which she recalls with a mix of humour and disbelief sometimes.

Recently she opened up and talked about the time a man dumped her because she bought his daughter a bigger chocolate than he had bought Zippy.

It was their third date and she was trying to make a good impression on her bonus child-to-be.

“One guy I really liked told me he couldn’t date me because I bought his kid (who I had never met) a big chocolate bar, yet he had bought me a small chocolate.”

When the date arrived, she eagerly presented the gift, a large chocolate bar, to her companion to take home to his daughter.

He responded with a sheepish smile and offered her a smaller chocolate in return.

It was a touching moment for Zippy, a sign of mutual appreciation.

However, the evening took an unexpected turn. As they dined, he suddenly said,

“We can’t, Zippy. You’re amazing, but I’ll never be able to make you happy.”

His reasoning? The size of the chocolate bar she bought for his daughter overshadowed his smaller gift to her.

Zippy finished her meal, swallowing her food and emotions, trying not to let the tears fall. At that moment, she felt rejected over something as trivial as chocolates.

Now, with time as her ally, she looks back and laughs at the absurdity of it all.

“Who breaks up with someone over a gift?”

Yet, she holds no bitterness. “I’m a handful,” she admits with a grin, “and I love good things, which can sometimes feel like pressure to others.”