Contrary to common belief that women are taken care of by men, Consumer Insight now reveals that Kenyan mamas eat their own sweat, making 57 per cent of their cash from businesses and 47 from salaries.
According to a new Dama study, women also make money from investments on the side, husbands and family support.
In what might embarrass 30-something year old men who still depend on their mothers for alcohol and underwear chumz, women’s zeal for work starts early, with 35 per cent of girls aged below 21 already earning their own money.
Not surprisingly, most men find this research to be a bit overstated.Paul Kirorei, 32, a freelance auditor, says the research cannot be true.
“It is nonsense, unless it was done by women,” he scoffed dismissively. Ronald Kanguru, who works with a county government in Central Kenya, says the research does not reflect the reality on the ground.
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“Save for what she earns, all the money a woman has can be traced to a man. Those who earn and are independent are few. Most of them are ‘kept’ and even when they have jobs and cohabit with a man, it is the guy who remains the provider, sometimes even paying fees for her siblings and initiating ‘projects’ in her parent’s home,” said Kanguru.
Some men, however, think the survey might be closer to the truth.
Harry Nderi, a freelance journalist says, “Depending on the changing demographics and the changing trends, the possibility is likely.”
Nonetheless, he thinks this could be true of middle class and the bourgeois, but not working mums in low-paying paying jobs, Eastlands housewives and rural mums who largely depend on their husbands.
Sydney Obachi, 28, a manicurist in Nairobi’s CBD says he is not surprised by the findings because women are business minded and save better than men.
“A 15-year-old girl in high school will save her pocket money to buy a better phone. A boy of the same age will save for booze and condoms during the holidays,” he said, adding that, “Girls start selling things like handbags and dresses to their friends, some even go to Uganda for these items,” says Obachi whose line of business primarily puts him in the way of women. “If she sees good make-up, she will buy it to sell to her friends, it’s a chain,” he observes.
Nairobi sociologist, Komu Mwati, says such a survey can serve to inspire women. “But from a realistic point of view in society, it works differently. While some women have formed very strong chamas and are in serious business, their lot is still a minority. Many women still depend on their men or are poor, so that only makes us asks where the survey was done,” he says.
