Why nearly half of Nairobi women don't prioritise marriage

A majority of women in Nairobi are not rushing to get married, a recent report has shown. 

According to a survey conducted by Mwelekeo Insights in February, only 29 percent of women in the capital prioritise marriage as a major goal in life.

Out of 2,687 respondents, only 53 percent of the women don't aspire to marriage while 18 percent were not sure. 

The report further reveals that most women now prefer financial stability and career growth over marriage.

The women expressed disinterest in marriage, arguing that they had career ambitions, while a larger percentage wanted to achieve financial independence first, and the rest wanted to maintain their freedom.

Half of the women interviewed mentioned societal pressure as one of the factors that has been pushing them to marry.

A higher percentage (60pc) believe that getting married would limit their freedom, while 25 per cent observe it as a positive change.

Consequently, highly educated and employed women view marriage as the least priority.

When asked about their preferred marriage age, 30 percent of the women preferred the ages 28-30 while 45 percent were comfortable being married even after 30.

Surprisingly, half of the respondents revealed that they were willing to join a polygamous marriage so long as it would economically transform their lives.