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Originally published by Capital Newstop
July 12, 2026
1h ago
How men with female surnames are standing up to ridicule in Kenya
Many children in Kenya traditionally inherit their father’s first name as their surname, but there are an increasing number of people who are taking their mother’s instead. This is particularly…..
✨ Key Highlights
In Kenya, men adopting their mother's surname is sparking debate and challenging traditional patriarchal norms, particularly among the Kikuyu ethnic group. While some face ridicule, others embrace these female surnames as a symbol of respect for their mothers and a reflection of changing societal roles.
- A growing number of men are taking their mother's first name as their surname, which was traditionally rare.
- Notable figures include politician John Njũgũna Wanjikũ and musician Peter Kĩgia wa Esther, both of whom have embraced female surnames.
- The trend is attributed to factors such as single-mother families becoming more common and a desire to honor mothers, though some critics argue it undermines masculinity.
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