Renowned economist and political strategist Dr. David Ndii on Thursday, February 11, started a heated debate where he gave his opinion on who should perform the role of cooking in a marriage setting.
Ndii faulted young men for expecting their wives to cook with the aim of preserving African cultural traditions. He referred such men as "idiots" with serious self-esteem issues.
"Who is lying to young men that toxic masculinity is an African cultural badge of honour? If you expect you can date a career woman, marry and next day you’ll be putting your feet up as she keeps house, you are delusional," she stated.
The Oxford-University student went on to state that he cooked more often than his wife, Mwende Gatabaki, and added that his own mother was not a housekeeper when he was growing up.
Mwende boasts an illustrious career, having served for over eighteen years in the government, public and private sector organizations at national, continental and global levels. She has also served as President Uhuru Kenyatta's advisor on Digital Transformation in government operations.
"Even my mother who is close to 80, let alone my wife, was never a housekeeper. My father cooked. My grandfather cooked. Idiots, go to the village or ask your aunties to find a class 8 graduate bimbo you can impress with your mtumba toyota," he added.
His remarks caused a heated debate on Twitter with some in agreement and others against the idea.
"The "housewife" model came from colonial education. They were educating girls to become suitable wives for the African men graduating from European schools," lecturer Wandia Njoya stated.
"Aren't you imposing your normal on others who have divergent approach?" Nebert Kiguhe weighed in.
Robert Burale, a motivational speaker and pastor previously told Kenyans.co.ke that marriage was something that two partners needed to devote time to nurture and watch it grow.
Marriage is a compromise, where two people come together for a better life. Marriage is not a competition and if you bring competition, whether, with school documents or bank accounts, you will always compete and won't work together.
"Marriage is a place where two imperfect people love each other perfectly and respect each other. The problem is young men and women have believed what they see in social media and want to replicate perfection displayed in Mexican soap operas. Your PhD and bank accounts can't cook," he advised.
Human rights activist Betty Murungi, who is married to Siaya Senator James Orengo, advises women not to forego the traditional female roles, arguing that they do not in any way take away the power of women.
“All of a woman’s experiences, including childbirth, childbearing, taking care of the family cooking, being a career woman. All of those are experiences that you must have and demand as a woman.”
“There is nothing to say that if you are an educated professional woman, if you are at the top of the corporate ladder, somehow the kitchen becomes taboo. Nothing could be further from the truth!" Betty stated.
She serves in the United Nations commission of inquiry looking into human rights violations in Palestinian occupied territory of Gaza.
