Content creator Lydia Wanjiru has shared her views on marriage, saying unions are likely to fail when women pay their own dowries.
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, she spoke after Anne Kansiime revealed that she once paid her own dowry. Wanjiru explained that dowry plays an important role in showing commitment in a relationship.
“I hear you, coz I also can’t. Dowry is one of the ways that shows a man is ready to provide & committed to becoming a family man,” Lydia Wanjiru said.
She explained that, in her view, dowry is a sign that a man is ready to take responsibility and build a family. She said it reflects effort and intention from the man’s side. According to her, removing that role changes the meaning of the process.
“But this is what most women have done. And those marriages definitely fail!” Lydia Wanjiru said.
Wanjiru added that when women take over the role of paying dowry, it may affect the foundation of the relationship. She explained that it creates a situation where the expected roles are not followed. She believes this can lead to problems later in the marriage.
Views emerge after Kansiime’s revelation
Her remarks come after Anne Kansiime spoke about her own experience with dowry. Kansiime explained that she once took the step of paying her own dowry after her partner failed to do so. She shared details of the situation and how it unfolded.
“I have never become a wife ever. I actually accused myself so much, paid my own dowry and convinced the whole world and the man himself that we were married,” Anne Kansiime said.
Kansiime explained that she introduced her partner to her parents, who accepted him and asked for dowry. She said the request was not fulfilled by the man, which led her to make her own decision. She added that the situation moved forward after that.
“I introduced him to my parents, who accepted him and asked him to bring a dowry, which he didn’t bring,” Anne Kansiime said.
She further explained that she ended up paying the dowry herself after the request was made. She said both of them moved on with life after the payment and did not focus on it again. Her remarks have since drawn attention to the role of dowry in relationships.
