Why Ruto’s marriage advice is a wake-up call to Kenyan men
By Faith Lagat, November 2, 2025In a world where chasing side hustles, career milestones, and social media clout often dominate daily life, many young Kenyan men are postponing one of life’s oldest commitments: marriage.
The pressures of urban living, high unemployment, and soaring living costs make building a stable home feel like an impossible task. Yet, the cost of delay is real: missed opportunities for partnership, emotional strain on women, and the growing perception that responsibility is optional rather than essential.
It is in this context that President William Ruto addressed the issue at a pre-wedding in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County. Speaking at the ceremony for Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang and Channelle Kittony, he said:
“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.”
Delayed commitment and its causes
Several factors contribute to the delay in marriage among Kenyan men. Youth unemployment currently sits at 13.7 per cent, while inflation bites into everything from food to personal expenses.
A 2023 KNBS survey found that 40 per cent of urban men aged 20-34 cite financial instability as the main reason for staying single, while 25 per cent admit to enjoying freedom without long-term obligations.
The consequences of delay extend beyond statistics. The 2024 Demographic Health Survey shows that 22 per cent of Kenyan women aged 20-24 have been left by partners after intimacy, causing emotional strain and delaying life plans.
Ruto’s own experience reinforces his advice. Married to Rachel Chebet since 1991, the couple has six children. His rise from peanut seller to president demonstrates the role of responsibility in personal and professional growth.
His message aligns with previous counsel, such as during the 2023 wedding of MPs Eric Wamumbi and Betty Maina, when he warned couples against distractions from social media and gossip.
Responsibility, marriage, and societal impact
Ruto emphasised that marriage and commitment are not burdens but pathways to stability.
A 2022 World Bank study on East Africa found that married men under 35 report 15 per cent higher job retention, indicating that accountability in personal life can translate into professional focus. Conversely, prolonged singledom is linked to higher stress and isolation for men over 30, according to the African Population and Health Research Center.
The president also warned that young men’s hesitation risks losing partners to other countries, as seen in cases where daughters marry abroad. In a nation where 60 per cent of youth aspire to family life but only 35 per cent act on it, Ruto’s message urges decisive action.
For Kenyan men, the lesson is clear: commitment is not a trap but a foundation for growth, for relationships, careers, and communities.
Taking responsibility strengthens families, supports women’s ambitions, and contributes to national development. It is a call to step up, honour promises, and transform intention into action.