President William Ruto recently delivered a direct challenge to young Kenyans. Speaking at a high-profile wedding, the President targeted ‘Gen Z’ members who are aged 25 years and above.
He urged these young adults to commit to marriage and settle down.
The President delivered his instruction concisely: “Those of you who are above the age of 25, get married. Get married,” Ruto urged.
The backdrop for these remarks was the wedding of Moses Mudavadi, the son of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Qillian Saiya.
The event took place on Saturday, 29 November 2025. Qillian Saiya is the daughter of former Kakamega Senator Naomi Masitsa Shiyonga.
Ditching the Nightlife
President Ruto coupled his marriage plea with a stern warning about lifestyle. He specifically cautioned young people against excessive ‘club-hopping’.
He used clear phrasing to describe the alternative to settling down.
“Wacha kuzunguka hapa unatoka kwa klabu hii unaingia klabu hii unatoka kwa klabu hii unaenda hiyo ingine”.
This statement translates roughly to: “Stop wandering around, leaving this club, entering this club, leaving this club, going to that other one”.
The President’s message highlighted a push toward conventional family formation. He framed marriage as a key component of national stability and development.
The directive targets the post-25 age group and reflects a national conversation about delayed marriages.
The Bachelor MP Responds
The President’s strong remarks quickly garnered significant attention. Among those responding was Mumias East MP Peter Salasya.
Mr Salasya is a first-term MP. He is currently a 36-year-old bachelor.
The MP took to social media to contest the President’s advice. His response shifted the focus from personal choice to economic reality.
He implied that settling down is directly dependent on improved financial conditions for Kenyan youth.
Focus on Economics
Mr Salasya suggested that young people are not purposefully avoiding marriage. Instead, he implied that prevailing economic hardship makes the commitment difficult.
His social media message conveyed a direct plea for the government to prioritise easing financial burdens.
“Wewe wachana na sisi hatuna haraka …the day you will make life easy for young people of Kenya, they will get married because life is so hard uku nje”.
This response argues that the lack of marriage among youth is due to difficult living conditions outside of politics.
The MP essentially told the President, “You leave us alone, we are not in a hurry,” regarding marriage timelines.
The public exchange highlights a key tension in contemporary national dialogue. On one side, there is the push for traditional family values and societal structures.
On the other hand, there is the argument that economic constraints prevent young people from achieving these milestones.
by moses sagwe
