This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
Published on November 11, 2019, a post went viral urging Kenyans to emulate a couple who had a divorce party to celebrate their separation. The author was taken aback by this suggestion, given the typical Kenyan breakup scenario.
When a Kenyan couple decides to part ways, it's often a messy affair. The couple may have been holding onto a relationship that's taken a nosedive, refusing to acknowledge the problems. By the time they finally break up, trust is broken, and the relationship is beyond repair.
The author recalls their own experience with a breakup, where they went to the police station to report their partner for saying they didn't love them anymore. The author was wailing and recording a statement, but it's unclear what they expected the police to do.
Breakups in Kenya can be draining, both emotionally and financially. The author remembers making trips to and from Nakuru, crying on the shuttle, and doing nothing in particular. Household furniture often suffers during breakups, with items being thrown or damaged in the heat of the moment.
Children are often caught in the middle of these messy breakups, and the author notes that this is a story that deserves its own attention. In contrast, the couple who had a divorce party seemed to be on good terms, laughing and embracing each other during the celebration.
The author wonders why Kenyan couples can't part ways amicably, like this couple. They support the idea of turning goodbyes into happy moments, but it's unclear if this is a realistic expectation in the Kenyan context.
