In a society where pursuing side hustles, achieving career goals, and gaining social media fame often take precedence, a lot of young men in Kenya are putting off one of life’s oldest commitments: marriage.
The challenges of city life, high unemployment rates, and rising living expenses make it seem nearly impossible to create a stable home. However, the consequences of this delay are significant: lost chances for companionship, emotional stress on women, and an increasing belief that taking on responsibility is more of a choice than a necessity.
In this light, President William Ruto spoke about the matter at a pre-wedding event in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County. While addressing the gathering for Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang and Channelle Kittony, he remarked:
“I want to encourage young people that it is good to get married. Many people are running away from responsibility, thinking that it’s fashionable; it is not. Many young men want to enjoy stuff but don’t want responsibility. If you’re man enough, marry the woman you love. Stop wasting people’s time.”
Kenyan men put off getting married for a number of reasons. The current rate of youth unemployment is 13.7%, and inflation affects everything from personal expenses to food. According to a 2023 KNBS survey, 25% of urban men between the ages of 20 and 34 admit to enjoying freedom without long-term commitments, while 40% cite financial instability as the primary reason for remaining single.
Delays have effects that go beyond numbers. According to the 2024 Demographic Health Survey, 22% of Kenyan women between the ages of 20 and 24 have experienced partner abandonment following intimacy, which has caused emotional distress and postponed life goals.
Ruto’s advice is supported by his personal experience. He has six children with Rachel Chebet, whom he has been married to since 1991. His ascent from peanut vendor to president serves as an example of the importance of accountability for both professional and personal development.
His remarks are consistent with earlier advice, such as when he cautioned couples against di during the 2023 wedding of MPs Eric Wamumbi and Betty Maina
Responsibility, marriage, and societal impact
Ruto highlighted that marriage and commitment shouldn’t be seen as burdens, but rather as routes to stability.
A 2022 World Bank study focusing on East Africa revealed that married men under 35 experience a 15 percent increase in job retention, suggesting that having accountability in personal life can enhance professional focus. On the flip side, extended periods of being single are associated with increased stress and feelings of isolation for men over 30, as noted by the African Population and Health Research Center.
The president also cautioned that young men’s reluctance could lead to losing partners to other countries, as evidenced by instances where daughters end up marrying abroad. In a country where 60 percent of the youth dream of family life but only 35 percent take action, Ruto’s message calls for decisive steps.
For Kenyan men, the takeaway is straightforward: commitment is not a trap but a stepping stone for personal growth, relationships, careers, and community development.
Embracing responsibility fortifies families, uplifts women’s aspirations, and aids in national progress. It’s a rallying cry to rise to the occasion, keep promises, and turn intentions into reality.
