Their yellow-yellow colour drives us crazy. We cannot resist a Kikuyu woman

It is common for Kikuyu women to marry Luo men than it was the case at independence when the late Wambui Otieno, mother of four, married the late criminal lawyer SM Otieno-and dispensed with bride price altogether.

This convergence in matrimony, though, is one sided: Kikuyu men don’t rush with equal zeal to marry Luo women…which to most people from Central Kenya is akin to “kujiapisha.”

Evans Karuku, a TV programme producer, blames the two communities’ shared political acrimony making it hard for romantic relationships to thrive. Businessman Brian Gitau points out that besides political differences, culture contributes a huge part. Kikuyus are Bantus who circumcise their boys when they come of age while Luos are River Lake Nilotes for whom the cut is meaningless.

“In Kikuyu culture, any uncircumcised man, whether 50 or 100 years old is still considered a “kihii” (uncircumcised boy) who cannot say anything of importance or attend any meaningful ceremony and hence, the two tribes are not compatible,” reasons Brian.

So, why do Luo men prefer marrying Kikuyu women and why do Kikuyu women fall head over heels for men from Luo Nyanza? Paul Odera, an Events Organiser, explains that Luos are mostly dark skinned and the light complexion of sisters from Central Kenya is one factor.

“Their yellow-yellow colour drives us crazy. We cannot resist a Kikuyu woman. Second, they’re enterprising and since Luo men don’t care much about money, a Kikuyu woman will multiply it for the family,” he says.
Luo men skirt marrying their chicks because Luo women can be a handful as “they’re in your face from personal life to business! She must co-sign and you don’t even have a chance to breath,” says Odera, adding that Kikuyu women are “hardly in your face all the time, as long as you are providing they take a back seat.”

Collins Omondi, a farmer, concurs, arguing that it’s easier to date a Kikuyu woman. “They are easy to handle compared to Luo women who have egos and demand a lot of expensive things. We have left them to wazungu. Kikuyu women are also more beautiful and while they might not be better in bed, they are willing to go with the flow or do anything to impress, but a Luo woman only gives what she wants.”

Kikuyu women also have their reasons for preferring brothers from the Lakeside.
Loise Wairimu, an IT technician, finds Luo men irresistible for two reasons. “First, Luo men are great in bed and secondly, they go the extra mile in relationships. A Luo man will make you feel you are the only one in the relationship even if you are many,” adding “they are gentlemen but our Central brothers do not care much about chivalry.”