Kenyan men with female surnames face ridicule

In Kenya, children traditionally inherit their father's first name as their surname, but a growing number are taking their mother's name instead. This practice is especially common among the country's largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, and has become a subject of debate and ridicule for men with female surnames.

Girls and women with female surnames do not face the same censure; when they marry, they may opt to take their husband's first name as their surname. Some see the trend as reflecting changing attitudes towards women and their influence, while others criticize those who have been given or choose to take their mother's name.

Several politicians now have female surnames, such as MP John Njuguna Wanjiku, who was raised by a single mother. He goes by the nickname "Ka-Wanjiku," meaning child of Wanjiku. Others have chosen their female surname to honor their mothers.

Musician Peter Kigia, known as Kigia wa Esther (son of Esther), chose his mother's name as his stage name. He told the BBC it means he loves and respects his mother, and he even registered his record company as Wa Esther Productions. Other younger male musicians, such as Waithaka wa Jane and 90K Ka Msoh, have followed suit.

Journalist Simon Macharia Wangui deliberately chose his mother's name as his official surname because his father was absent for most of his life. Raised mainly by his grandmother, he had no surname until his final year of high school when he applied for a birth certificate.

Broadcaster Evans Kibe Waceke, who bears a female surname, says some Kenyans still believe a child raised by a single parent lacks morals. "People perceive you as undisciplined, especially when you are raised by a single mother," he told the BBC.

A heated debate began two years ago when motivational speaker Robert Burale said female surnames undermine masculinity. TV personality Fred Muitiriri then shared his difficulties with the name, telling how he dropped his mother's surname and only uses his English and Kikuyu first names. He wrote on Facebook about his low self-esteem and depression at age 23.

Kikuyu cultural expert Wairimu Mukuru says the rise of female surnames is largely due to the increase in single-mother families. However, it remains a cultural anomaly as even sons of unmarried women are usually given male surnames. If the father is unknown or rejects the child, the mother's eldest brother takes that role, but there may be reluctance to avoid inheritance disputes.

Mugwe wa Nuhi of the Kikuyu cultural group Kiama Kia Ma argues there should not be disdain for female surnames, as according to legend, the Kikuyu trace their lineage from the 10 daughters of the first couple, Gikuyu and Mumbi. "We have always aligned ourselves with women, from the very beginning," he said.

Academic George Gathigi explains that while Kikuyu men traditionally identified themselves through their mothers, that was informal. The formal adoption of female names is new, reflecting the strength of women in modern society, especially when men abandon responsibilities. He sees it as a "bad thing that it is being normalised." Journalist Wangui acknowledges the identity crisis but is proud of his decision, as success despite the name is seen as overcoming odds.