A new national poll by Mwelekeo Insights has revealed a growing divide among Kenyan men over the relevance and future of the bride price tradition. The survey, which engaged over 15,000 male respondents aged between 18 and 45 across the country, shows a complex landscape of opinions driven by age, education, geography and economic pressures.
Bride price, widely practiced across Kenyan communities, is traditionally seen as a gesture of respect from the groom’s family to the bride’s. But the study shows that while 53 percent of men still support the custom, 47 percent believe it is time for change. Support is highest among older and rural men, while younger and urban men are more likely to view it as outdated or burdensome.
Mwelekeo Insights screenshot
Economic concerns featured prominently in the responses. Many men, especially those under 30 or unemployed, said that the financial demands of bride price often delay or discourage marriage. The expectation to pay in full, sometimes with livestock or large cash sums, has become a significant source of stress. A majority of respondents agreed that gradual payments or cost sharing could be more reasonable alternatives.
Religious and cultural values still shape the way many men view bride price. Two-thirds of participants said their beliefs support the tradition. However, a large segment of men with higher education or broader exposure to global cultures expressed concern that the practice undermines women’s autonomy. Sixty five percent said bride price can feel like commodifying women, while others defended it as symbolic rather than transactional.
Mwelekeo Insights screenshot on religious findings
Interestingly, the study also found a readiness among men to reimagine the tradition. While 52 percent were against abolishing bride price entirely, many supported reforms such as voluntary gifting or mutual agreements between couples. Most men rejected the idea of women paying bride price instead, saying it contradicted cultural expectations.
Pressure to conform to tradition was another key finding. Over half of the men surveyed said they felt emotional stress due to bride price demands. Despite this, most did not link their social identity or masculinity to the ability to pay, though some admitted it could affect their standing in the community.
The report concludes that Kenyan men are not united on bride price, but there is clear interest in making it more inclusive, affordable and respectful of both partners. It calls for national conversations involving youth, elders, religious leaders and women to redefine what marriage traditions should look like in today’s Kenya.
