BBAfrica’s Karen Igho launches $50,000 GoFundMe amid child custody battle, homelessness

• Karen Igho has set up a GoFundMe account to help support her following her cry for help.
• The Big Brother Africa year 2011 winner had taken to the microblogging X platform to accuse her husband of trying to take sole custody of their kids while claiming she has a mental illness.

Winner of Big Brother Africa 2011 Karen Igho has launched a $50,000 GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for housing and legal fees as she fights for custody of her children.

In a video shared on her social media platforms on Wednesday, Karen Igho revealed that she is currently homeless and in desperate need of help. She expressed her desire to regain custody of her children from her estranged husband, Yaroslav Rakos.

The GoFundMe campaign description reads in parts:

“Dear Friends and Community,

“We are reaching out to ask for your support for our dear Karen Igho, who is going through a tough time. Recently, she faced unexpected challenges that have made it difficult to pay bills and secure stable housing.”

This plea comes after Karen disclosed on Tuesday that she is in the midst of a divorce, accusing her husband of physical and sexual abuse. She alleged that Rakos is attempting to take sole custody of their children by falsely claiming that she is mentally unstable.

Karen also called on the public to hold Rakos accountable if anything were to happen to her.

According to Karen Igho:

“I have been homeless for a year, and I have been hurt sexually and physically. If anything happens to me, hold the man who brought me to a country where I know no one. He is trying to take my children away by saying I’m mentally sick.”

In another emotional statement, Karen added:

“God bless Nigeria and Africa. I have been through so much this past year. Please pray for my children and me. In case you don’t hear from me again, know that I have been killed. I am not mentally sick, and I don’t do drugs.”

Her revelations have raised concern among her followers, many of whom have shown their support online. Rakos has not yet responded to the allegations.

After a nine-year relationship, Karen Igho and Yaroslav Rakos were married in 2014 in Jos, Plateau State. They share two children together.