Africa-Press – Kenya. Nairobi County Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has proposed that the national government establish a fund to support young men seeking to marry.
He argued that such a move would help stabilise youth, promote responsibility, and curb what he termed rising nightlife chaos.
Mosiria made the remarks in response to President William Ruto’s call on young men to consider marrying earlier.
The President, speaking during the wedding ceremony of Qillian Ndeso Saiya and Moses Budamba Mudavadi, Ruto acknowledged that a family is the foundation on which the nation is built and urged youth to settle down in their mid-20s, saying early marriage fosters responsibility, stability, and strong family values.
Budamba is the son of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The wedding took place at Ulinzi Sports Complex Lang’ata, Nairobi, on Saturday.
“The foundation of a nation is the firm foundation of a family. A nation is as strong as the families we put together, and therefore, as parents, we must do whatever it takes, encourage our children. As I do here, all the men in this room, those of you who are above the age of 25, get married,” Ruto said amid laughter from the audience.
“Wacha kuzunguka hapa, unatoka kwa club hii unaingia kwa club hiyo, unatoka kwa club hiyo unaenda kwa club hiyo ingine (stop hopping from one club to another),” he added.
In his statement, Mosiria said the President’s message resonated deeply with the realities many young Kenyans face.
“If parents attended even one house party today and witnessed what’s happening there… they would support your message of ‘vijana tuoe’ (youth, let’s marry) immediately without debate,” he said.
He argued that although many young men desire stability, economic hardship has become a major barrier to marriage.
“And honestly, with the current economy, the boy child is no longer spending nights in clubs… si kwa hiari,” he said, adding that nightlife scenes show a growing number of young women frequenting clubs while men increasingly opt out due to financial strain.
Mosiria suggested that the government should consider creating a “starter life kit” under the Ministry of Youth, targeting Kenyans aged 25 and above.
The proposed one-year support programme would help young couples begin life together, similar in concept to the Sh50,000 NYOTA fund, which he said had demonstrated the government’s capacity for innovative youth-support schemes.
“Since the Sh50,000 NYOTA programme is working, everything is possible with proper government planning,” he noted.
“Mr President, my humble thinking is this: Is there a way the Ministry of Youth can introduce a special ‘Starter Life Kit’ for young people aged 25 and above—just one-year support to help them marry and start life?”
He added that the youth “are with you, believe in your message, and are ready to build families, stability, and a better nation.”
Ruto, during his address at the wedding, recounted his own experience of marrying First Lady Rachel Ruto at age 25. He said early marriage, when founded on love and mutual readiness, helps young adults embrace responsibility.
“You know, I keep encouraging young people to get married,” the President said.
“I got married to Rachel when I was 25. I am told nowadays 25 is too young to get married… People are hanging around all the way to their 30s and beyond.”
Ruto congratulated young couples in the church preparing for or entering marriage, saying they make the nation proud. He particularly encouraged young men to avoid remaining in long, noncommittal relationships.
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