Mkamburi Chigogo criticises women faking romantic gestures for attention
By Paulette Mboga, December 15, 2025Mkamburi Chigogo has criticised the growing trend of women faking romantic gestures for attention on social media.
Speaking about the phenomenon on Monday, December 15, 2025, she said, “Hakuna kitu mbaya kama dame kujinunulia maua alafu kusema ati ni mwanaume amenunua! Hio tabia must die.”
She added that this behaviour is widespread, noting, “Tunawaona sana huku nje.”
She was referring to a trend where women buy elaborate flower arrangements, especially money bouquets, and post them online, claiming they were gifts from men. According to Chigogo, this has become a way to seek attention and show off on social media rather than a genuine act of romance.
Flowers and social media effect
Flowers, particularly money bouquets, have become the ultimate symbol of love and status on social media. From Nairobi’s posh neighbourhoods to viral TikTok videos, these arrangements are used not only to show affection but also to showcase style and influence.
Many women purchase these bouquets themselves but present them as gifts from men, creating the illusion of romantic attention. This has led to a trend where the gesture matters more for online clout than for actual romantic meaning.
In recent years, the popularity of money bouquets has surged in Kenya, largely influenced by celebrities and social media influencers who flaunt these lavish gifts. The trend encourages others to replicate the behaviour, blurring the lines between genuine romance and social media performance.
Chigogo criticised this practice, saying it promotes dishonesty and fuels unrealistic expectations of relationships.
“Hio tabia must die,” she said, warning that such actions undermine the authenticity of love gestures.
She highlighted that this behaviour is visible everywhere, from expensive neighbourhoods to popular online platforms. Women, in her view, are increasingly using these props to craft an image of being admired and cherished, even if the gestures are self-made.
“Tunawaona sana huku nje,” she noted, pointing out the widespread nature of the trend.
Chigogo’s comments come amid discussions about how social media has changed perceptions of romance and gift-giving. While flowers remain a classic symbol of love, the rise of staged posts and attention-seeking gestures has shifted their meaning for some people.