NAIROBI, KENYA – The personal account of Stevens Otieno, a Nairobi father left to raise four children after two collapsed marriages, has brought renewed attention to the immense, often unseen, struggles of single parents in Kenya. His experience, detailed in a recent interview with TUKO.co.ke on Friday, 24th October 2025, highlights a complex web of financial instability, emotional distress, and shifting family dynamics that resonates with a growing demographic in the country.

Mr. Otieno’s narrative is one of profound personal and financial loss. After his first marriage of over seven years ended, he retained custody of his three sons. A second marriage, which he hoped would rebuild his family, ended in further heartbreak and economic turmoil. He recounted losing his job and being forced to sell personal belongings to provide for his family, which now included a one-year-old from his second union. “It’s like starting over again,” he stated, capturing the precarious reality for many single-income households in Nairobi’s demanding economic landscape.

While Mr. Otieno’s story is individual, it is not isolated. It reflects a significant societal trend. According to the 2019 Kenya National Census, households headed by single parents rose to 38.2% from 25.1% in 2009. Though these figures predominantly represent female-headed households, they underscore a dramatic shift in family structure over a decade. This evolution is driven by various factors, including divorce, separation, and economic pressures that are reshaping traditional family units.

The Father’s Custody Battle: Legal Rights vs. Social Reality

Mr. Otieno’s decision to take full responsibility for his children aligns with a legal framework that, on paper, grants equal parental rights. The Constitution of Kenya and the Children Act of 2022 mandate that both parents have equal responsibility for their children, with the child's best interest being the paramount consideration in custody disputes. Kenyan law recognizes various custody arrangements, including joint and sole custody, and fathers have the same right to apply as mothers.

However, legal experts and social observers note a persistent, though evolving, societal bias. Historically, courts have often favoured mothers in custody cases, especially for children of a “tender age” (under 10), unless the mother is proven unfit. Recent judicial rulings have started to challenge this precedent, with judges increasingly awarding custody to fathers when it serves the child’s best interests. Despite this progress, single fathers often face unique societal doubts about their nurturing capabilities and must navigate a support system more accustomed to aiding single mothers.

Economic Hardship and the Single-Parent Penalty

Financial strain is a dominant theme in the accounts of single fathers like Mr. Otieno and others. The challenge of balancing caregiving with the need to be the sole provider is immense, particularly in urban centres with a high cost of living. Research and anecdotal evidence show that divorce and separation often have severe financial consequences, with single-parent households being more vulnerable to poverty. According to a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the proportion of women aged 15-49 who were divorced or separated grew from 4.6% in 1989 to 9.3% in 2022, with analysts linking the trend to economic pressures and cultural shifts.

For men, the economic impact can be compounded by legal obligations for child and sometimes spousal support, alongside the direct costs of raising children. The pressure is exacerbated by the lack of formal, targeted support systems for single fathers. While community and family networks provide some relief, many men struggle in silence due to social stigma. Organizations like SOS Children's Villages and Muslim Food Bank offer some community services, but the need for broader, more accessible support—including affordable childcare and mental health services—is critical.

Mr. Otieno’s public testimony serves as a powerful case study of a broader national issue. As Kenyan society continues to evolve, the experiences of single fathers are becoming an undeniable part of the national conversation on family, welfare, and economic resilience. His struggle underscores the urgent need for more robust social and institutional support to ensure the well-being of all Kenyan children, regardless of their family structure.