This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
According to the 2019 census report, the ratio of men to women in Kenya is 23.5:24 million, a difference of just half a million. This has led to a reevaluation of the traditional notion that men should have multiple wives to balance the ratio.
However, despite the availability of potential partners, many women are finding it difficult to find a suitable match. The dating crisis is real, and it's not just about the numbers.
Antonia Nyakio, a 31-year-old banker, has been single for the past two years. She prioritizes financial stability in a partner and has learned a valuable lesson from her previous relationship. 'I would rather stay single than have to support a man or date a man who is still struggling financially,' she says.
Similarly, Sally Amutavi, a 27-year-old entrepreneur, has been single for four years. She has tried dating sites and social events but has had no success. 'I am looking for Mr Right. He has to accept that I am a go-getter,' she says.
For women like Antonia and Sally, the dating crisis is not just about finding a partner, but about finding someone who shares their values and goals. They are not looking for a traditional partner who will provide for them, but someone who will support and empower them.
As Lilian Njau, a 30-year-old manager, puts it, 'I have gathered that men do not want an independent woman mainly because she can make her own decisions, and she knows what she wants.'
The dating crisis is a complex issue that cannot be reduced to simple statistics. It's about the changing roles of women in society and the need for men to adapt to these changes.
