This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
Eldoret Farmer Jackson Kibor's Unconventional Wisdom on Marriage and Youth ¶
On October 21, 2019, Jackson Kibor, an 85-year-old successful farmer and businessman, addressed a men's mentorship forum in Eldoret, Kenya, sharing his thoughts on successful and happy living.
As a polygamous octogenarian, Kibor has courted controversy in both public and family circles. He is well remembered for divorcing his two wives after 52 and 43 years of marriage respectively.
During his address, Kibor encouraged men to stand up and defend their positions in society by avoiding being swayed by their wives. He emphasized the importance of being strong as heads of the family, saying, 'Men should be strong as heads of the family. This does not stop when one grows old.'
However, Kibor did not have kind words for youthful sluggards, appalled that many youths are lazy and want to benefit from their parents' wealth without breaking sweat. He urged young people to work hard and eat healthy foods, saying, 'You only eat what you have worked for. Young people need to stop drinking too much and eat healthy foods.'
Kibor also shared his secret to longevity, attributing it to a healthy diet. He said, 'In my farm, I have a lot of traditional foods which are good for the body.'
As a farmer and former defunct Wareng Municipal Council chairperson, Kibor cautioned men against being violent against their wives. He also narrated why he withdrew his decision to allocate his vast Kabenes land to his heirs, citing the death of one of his sons due to drinking-related problems.
The conference was moderated by former Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly Speaker Albert Kochei, who said, 'This event is aimed at helping men who are struggling with identity crisis to overcome the challenge.'
