Presidential Advice Sparks Debate

KITALE, KENYA – President William Ruto has directly addressed young Kenyan men, urging them to embrace the responsibility of marriage and family life rather than shying away from commitment. Speaking on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at a pre-wedding ceremony for Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang, the President’s remarks have tapped into a sensitive national issue, highlighting the growing pressures facing men in contemporary Kenya.

“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,” President Ruto stated. “If you’re man enough, marry the woman you love. Stop wasting people’s time.” This counsel comes at a time when many Kenyan men report delaying marriage due to significant economic instability, including high unemployment and the rising cost of living.

A Nation of Declining Marriages

The President's comments land against a backdrop of stark demographic shifts. According to the Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2024, released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the proportion of married women aged 15-49 has seen a dramatic decline from 63.1% in 1989 to 48.1% in 2022. Concurrently, the rate of divorce or separation for the same demographic has more than doubled, climbing from 4.6% to 9.3% over the same period. These statistics paint a picture of an institution under strain, influenced by a confluence of economic, social, and cultural factors.

Financial instability is a frequently cited reason for this trend. A 2023 KNBS survey noted that 40% of urban men between 20 and 34 years old attribute their single status to financial pressures. Analysts and sociologists link the rising divorce and separation rates directly to economic hardship, which strains household resources and challenges traditional gender roles where men are expected to be the primary providers.

The Weight of Expectation

President Ruto’s advice, while framed as a call to responsibility, intersects with the complex reality of modern masculinity in Kenya. Societal expectations often demand that men project an image of strength and stoicism, making it difficult to express vulnerability, especially concerning financial struggles. This pressure is a significant contributor to mental health challenges, with KNBS data indicating that men have higher suicide rates than women in Kenya.

The President himself has previously acknowledged the difficulties of marriage, advising couples in November 2023 to avoid distractions like social media and gossip to maintain a strong union. His recent comments, however, focus more on the act of commitment itself, which some observers feel overlooks the systemic barriers preventing many men from feeling prepared for marriage. A 2022 World Bank study on East Africa found that married men under 35 reported 15% higher job retention, suggesting a potential link between personal stability and professional focus, a point Ruto's message reinforces.

Broader Implications for Kenya

The national conversation sparked by the President’s remarks goes beyond personal advice, touching on the future of the Kenyan family unit and, by extension, national stability. The KNBS report underscores that most children in the country are born to married women, linking the institution directly to population growth and societal structure. The decline in marriage rates and the rise in separations could have long-term consequences for social planning and community cohesion.

While the President’s call to action is clear, the path for many young Kenyan men remains complicated by economic realities. The debate now centers on whether upholding traditional values requires greater societal and governmental support to alleviate the financial burdens that make such commitments feel unattainable for a significant portion of the population. As the nation reflects on his words, the focus shifts to finding a balance between personal responsibility and the economic empowerment needed to build stable families.