A notable cultural shift is emerging in Kenya as an increasing number of men are choosing to adopt their mothers' first names as their surnames, a departure from the long-standing tradition of inheriting the father's first name. This evolving practice, particularly prevalent among the Kikuyu, Kenya's largest ethnic group, has ignited considerable public debate and, in some instances, led to ridicule for the men involved.
Unlike their female counterparts, who often face less censure for bearing a mother's name and frequently adopt their husband's first name upon marriage, men with female surnames are navigating a more complex social landscape. This trend is seen by some as a reflection of changing attitudes towards women's influence within a historically patriarchal society, while others remain critical of those who have been given, or have chosen, their mother's name.
The shift is evident even in prominent public life. For example, MP John Njũgũna Wanjikũ, first elected in 2021 and affectionately known as "Ka-Wanjikũ" (child of Wanjikũ), was raised by a single mother and carries her name. Similarly, veteran musician Peter Kĩgia, now in his 60s, adopted his mother's name, Esther, as his stage name, becoming "Kĩgia wa Esther" (son of Esther). He registered his record company as Wa Esther Productions, inspiring younger male musicians in the benga genre to follow suit, with names like Waithaka wa Jane and 90K Ka Msoh appearing on posters in Nairobi.
For some, the choice is deeply personal and a tribute. Journalist Simon Macharia Wangũi deliberately chose his mother's name as his official surname, stating he saw no reason to credit an absent father about whom he had only heard rumours. Raised largely by his grandmother, he only acquired a surname in his final year of high school when applying for a birth certificate, following his mother's death in 2003. Broadcaster Evans Kibe Waceke, who also bears a female surname, highlighted the societal perception that children from single-parent homes, particularly those raised by single mothers, may "lack certain morals" or be seen as undisciplined.
The debate intensified two years ago when motivational speaker Robert Burale publicly claimed that female surnames undermined male masculinity. This prompted TV personality Fred Mũitĩrĩri to share his own difficult experiences, revealing how the embarrassment of having a 'girl's name' led to low self-esteem and depression, ultimately causing him to drop his mother's surname in favour of his English and Kikuyu first names. While cultural expert Wairimũ Mũkũrũ attributes the rise to the increased prevalence of single-mother families, she notes it remains a cultural anomaly, as traditionally, even sons of unmarried women would still be given male surnames, often that of their mother's eldest brother.