This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
As I reflect on my high school days, I recall the warnings from my teacher, Mr Mabonga, about the consequences of getting a girl pregnant. He described it as 'five seconds of fun and a lifetime of regret.'
However, this warning did not deter my friends and me from engaging in reckless behavior. We were more concerned with the fear of getting caught than the well-being of our potential offspring.
One of my friends, Kevin, recently shared a story about his experience with a baby mama who was asking him for money. He had managed to avoid paying her for years by claiming to be a manual labourer who earned Sh500 a day. The court eventually awarded her half of his earnings, which translated to just over Sh3,500 per month.
Kevin's story is not an isolated incident. Many men in our society are avoiding child support, and it's not just about the money. It's about taking responsibility for one's actions and being a good parent.
As a society, we need to change our norms and expectations. Paying child support is not a favour to a woman; it's the bare minimum. We need to hold men accountable for their actions and provide support to women who are struggling to raise their children alone.
It's time for us to take a stand and demand that men take responsibility for their children. We need to create a society where men are not afraid to be fathers and where women are not left to struggle alone.
