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Cherargei sparks debate after claiming Kalenjin men should not enter kitchen
09th September, 2026 06:37 PM
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei caused a stir on the floor of Parliament on September 9, 2026, after making bold claims about gender roles and traditional cooking responsibilities.
Addressing fellow lawmakers in the Senate, Cherargei argued that culinary tasks belong strictly to women, citing cultural expectations from his home community.
His remarks quickly went viral. In the clip, Cherargei left no doubt about his stance on domestic chores. “Cooking is women’s business. It’s an abomination, and a curse for a dry Kalenjin man to appear even near the door of a kitchen,” he asserted.
Cultural traditions and gender roles
Cherargei pointed to traditional Kalenjin customs to justify his views, insisting that cultural boundaries around domestic spaces must be respected. In his view, a man entering the kitchen violates deeply rooted customs that separate responsibilities within the household.
His reference to a “dry Kalenjin man” describes an initiated adult male who, according to traditional beliefs, is expected to focus on duties outside the domestic space.
“A real man should be out in the field, taking care of the family, looking after livestock, and providing for the home” Cherargei stated.
In traditional community setups, women took complete charge of meal preparation, food storage, and domestic care, while men focused on livestock, security, and governance.
“We cannot allow modern trends to destroy traditional structures where men handle leadership and protection while women oversee household domestic duties,” Cherargei also said in his address.
While some traditionalists supported Cherargei’s effort to highlight cultural heritage, many Kenyans online felt the lawmaker’s stance was out of step with everyday realities.
Public reaction across the country
The senator’s speech triggered swift reactions across social media, where young Kenyans and gender equality advocates questioned whether such rigid gender roles still make sense today.
Many noted that high living costs, busy work schedules, and changing family structures require family members to share domestic work.
Male chefs and young men living alone also joined the conversation. Many pointed out that knowing how to cook is an essential survival skill rather than a breach of culture.
Despite the backlash, Cherargei’s comments have nevertheless reignited a wider national debate on how traditional practices fit into modern Kenyan life.
