Understanding Menopause, from a man’s perspective: Robert Kiberenge, Ken Ochieng, Peter Lagat and Benson Avugo speak about menopause.
Men across Kenya appear to have a functional understanding of menopause, although most admit that they can use a little more enlightenment on the topic. In these interviews conducted between April 7 and 9, the men speak out.
Ken Ochieng, 42
Businessman, Nairobi
Ken Ochieng, 42, from Nairobi, has been married for 18 years. He says he will be there to support his wife when the menopause comes.
I have been married for 18 years. My understanding of menopause is that it’s an age where women reach where the eggs don’t come as they used to. I know it comes with many signs. When I see them, I will know. The age will tell me. As for how I am preparing for that stage, all I can say is that she will just get the required attention. If it’s my wife, I’ll be with her. And if I have someone at the side, si itakuwa tu? It won’t be someone to overthrow the government, because the owner of the boma is known. I believe that people from both genders should be educated about menopause. Even if you think someone knows, remind them.
Peter Lagat, 50
Farmer and boda boda rider, Uasin Gishu
Peter Lagat, 50, a boda boda driver in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu county, on April 08, 2025.
I understand menopause to be the stage where a woman no longer experiences monthly periods and can no longer give birth to children. Although I learnt about it in school, I have come to experience it in life. I have interacted with women who have hit this stage. I have also discussed it with my wife. Because I have hit 50 and my wife is 40, it is natural to discuss this matter. It is part of the realities we need to confront in life. With the many body changes that come, it requires a lot of understanding just as the way we handle issues as a family. They are realities in life that we shall handle with a lot of logic. Regarding knowledge on menopause, I still need a lot of education about this topic since it involves our lifetime relationship. I know more about the theory than the practical bit, and I need a lot of knowledge about it.
Rev Joseph Muendo, 64
Pastor, Makueni
I know that menopause refers to a period where a woman becomes infertile. She cannot conceive. Sometimes that period starts at 45 years. The start varies from one individual to another. I have gathered that knowledge through my exposure and interaction with men and women. I have discussed menopause with my wife on several occasions. However, I was not ready for the changes associated with menopause such as decreased sexual desire and mood changes. For this reason, I need more enlightenment about menopause and what it portends for both men and women.
Robert Kiberenge, 47, a Nairobi resident who has been married for 19 years.
Robert Kiberenge, 47
Businessman, Nairobi
I have been married for 19 years. My understanding of menopause is that it’s that stage where a woman stops producing eggs for reproduction. As a man, I am psychologically prepared for that period because I know that it is something biological — you can’t stop it.
So, during that stage, I will not expect any more children from this woman who is my wife because nature has taken its course.
But there are situations where some men, who feel they still have the energy, will go for a second wife or they’ll have concubines out there to produce more children for them.
Some men fail by not anticipating that situation. They do not plan for a period where their wives will not be reproducing more children, and so you find some men, for failure to plan, will venture out and maybe marry another woman or cohabit with concubines out there. And you’ll find some men even breaking their marriages; a marriage that has taken them more than 20 years to build. They will break that marriage because there is no understanding.
On the other side, there are some men who think ‘I’ve had enough, let me let me concentrate on family development with my wife because we are done with the children.’
And I think there is some weakness among men in they don’t prepare enough for that stage.
Benson Avugo, 37, Businessman Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County, on April 08, 2025.
Benson Avugo, 37
Businessman, Uasin Gishu
I know menopause to be the stage when a woman can no longer give birth. It is at this stage when she cannot get her monthly period for the rest of her life. I have not discussed menopause because I believe I have not attained that age when such an issue is a major concern to us. Regardless, we need to prepare for it. The use of contraceptives for family planning has led to many body changes among women and early menopause can be one of them. As a man, I need to be prepared for it. On the question of whether there needs to be more enlightenment about menopause for men, what I know is that I am not the only one who needs a lot of education about it. Most men do not know about it, and they need a lot of enlightenment. They might have learnt about it while in school, but they now need to confront reality in family life.
Kenedy Gitahi Kimani, 36
Businessman, Makueni
I know that menopause refers to a period where a woman cannot conceive. Sometimes that period starts at 45 years. Some of the factors which predispose a woman to menopause include diet and disease. It is marked with mood swings and changes in a woman’s sexual desires. I have gathered that knowledge through my exposure and interaction with men and women. On several occasions, I have discussed menopause with my wife. I am ready for the behavioural changes associated with menopause such as decreased sexual desire and mood changes. That notwithstanding, I still feel I should be more enlightened about menopause and what it portends for both men and women in the society.
