A group of young Kenyans in their 20s spoke to Life&Style magazine, revealing why they are not keen to settle down just yet.
Joyce Wanjiru Njaramba, 25, Beauty therapist
“Living apart from my boyfriend is amazing for our personal growth and our relationship. It has also helped us figure out who we are as individuals. We have been dating for one and a half years, and we are not in a hurry to get married. I believe marriage is something you get into when you are ready to embrace commitment and responsibilities. I’m still figuring out how to put my life in order and more so, I want to be financially stable so that, together we can build the future we anticipate. I have been saving some money to start a beauty business and I will establish a shop before the year ends. I hope to expand it and gain more financial security. I will not rush into marriage until I fully develop myself and I’m stable enough to maintain a long-term commitment.”
Daniel Munueve, 24, Research Consultant
“Marriage is a beautiful thing when done right. I want to be a great husband and a father. I want to utilize every opportunity to build myself financially so that I can support a family. This is the time to learn from older married men on what leadership in marriage entails. I am equipping myself with necessary skills currently for the role that is ahead. I don’t want to be a man without direction. I have observed a lot of dysfunctionalities in family set-ups because most men fail to take their position in society. I can’t get into marriage until I am ready.”
“I want to prepare for a marriage not just a wedding. It’s a tragedy that we invest in many years of schooling to build a career, but fail to give the same resources to marriage and parenting. I am gathering information about marriage and parenting to be of help when I’m settling down in the future. I desire to be a great wife and would like to get the knowledge on how to be a good spouse.
Though I have been in a relationship for three years, we are not in a hurry to settle down. We are building a friendship with my 30-year-old boyfriend, and when both of us feel we are ready to settle down, we will.”
Tabitha Wanjiru, 23, T.V and Film Production Student
“My parents always tell me, there is more to marriage than just love, and hence I am working hard in building my life and giving it the best. Currently, I am pursuing a diploma in TV and film production at Talanta Institute and I hope to advance in the career. I want to build a strong foundation for marriage so that I can get it right and avoid divorce which has been on an increase in the last years. The flower of my youth is at its full bloom and this the best season to shine and pursue my goals. I don’t want to waste my youthful years pursuing relationships and risk ruining my destiny. I am taking this time to learn more about dating and marriage and since knowledge is power, I will be in a better position to make an informed decision about settling down.”
