- Local celebrities have divergent views on whetrher wives need monthly allowances
- Congratulations to those giving their women allowances. I won't. I find it annoying when women ask for money- Comedian Chipukeezy
Some men have money to treat their women to alcohol, samosas and loud music in smoke-filled pubs. Others have enough cash to pay their women monthly allowances.
And the allowances don’t matter, whether their better halves are working or stay-at-home mums. They still get their reward that sees to it that they look good and not just to ‘beautify the table’ when they go out. This monthly stipend is not receipted.
On being asked what his wife, a mother of four, does, eminent lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi told Business Daily in 2014 that, “She’s a housewife, although she is an IT graduate from Middlesex University. She got a First-Class Honours, but I employed her to take care of our kids.”
That meant giving her a ‘salary’ with ‘perks’, and for a wealthy lawyer who wears genuine Brioni suits and sports a Sh870,000 watch bought from Hong Kong, even a generous allowance cannot break his bank account.
But as The Nairobian found out, local celebrities have divergent views on whether wives need monthly allowances from their husbands.
Television and radio personality Anita Nderu has no problem with women getting allowances because “the issue of allowance is up to the guy. Getting an allowance is not mandatory, but it is a good thing to treat your woman within your financial means from time to time.” She added that, “If you can provide, why not, but if you cannot afford it, it is not a must.”
Big Ted (Thomas Kwaka), the Deputy Director, State Branding and Events at the Presidency, told The Nairobian that, “Giving your wife or girlfriend a monthly allowance is a personal choice.”
He notes that, “I know of men who give their wives a fixed income despite the women being corporate executives. It is not a bad thing, but the couple should sit down and agree. However, this should not be an excuse for a man to have a mpango wa kando and use money to blind her lover. ”
Big Ted says that, “Every man’s pride is to see his wife looking all glammed up.”
Comedian Chipukeezy (Vincent Muasya), says that giving women a fixed allowance is not realistic.
“There are many responsibilities a man has, like taking care of the house rent, kids and food for the house. Giving my woman money occasionally is okay, but putting her on an allowance is not realistic. My woman makes her own money, which she uses to make herself beautiful while I take care of other responsibilities. It’s an entitlement that wives must monthly allowances. I don’t think I am in position to do that.”
Rapper Octopizzo (Henry Ohanga) also does not believe in giving women monthly allowances.
“I will never give my girlfriend or wife any allowance. We are living in a generation where women and men have equal opportunities. As a dad who has girls, I will never allow my daughter to depend on a man for any allowance. When a man gives you money, he will treat you like his property and eventually disrespect you.”
Octopizzo believes that every person should be independent and help each other in a relationship.
“I don’t believe in women being housewives. My mother worked and she was never employed. No woman should sit at home and expect to be paid an allowance by the husband. I don’t even give money to my woman to make her hair. I only do that for my daughters,” explains Octopizzo.
Rapper Nazizi Hirji believes that everyone should work for their money.
“I have never been paid an allowance in my relationships. I believe everyone should work for their money, but in cases where a couple agrees that the wife should stay at home and get an allowance, that is okay. I don’t believe in women getting allowances though because people take advantage of each other in relationships.”
