Kenya's Men Conference Goes Down in Eldoret with Jackson Kibor as Keynote Speaker

Kenya’s men conference went down in Eldoret town on Monday, months after a hoax men summit went viral on social media.

The Monday male-only meeting was addressed by controversial Eldoret-based farmer and former politician Jackson Kibor, who became the face of the prank conference a few months ago, according to Daily Nation.

In his speech, the 86-year-old millionaire urged men to remain firm and non-violent but cautioned them against being easily swayed by their women. 

Kibor added that he has always advocated for men to remain strong and defend their rights even at old age and regretted that many young men are dying from lifestyle diseases and alcoholism.

“The secret to long life is eating healthy and strong adherence to traditional food. If you go to my farm now you cannot believe it belongs to an old man like me,” said Kibor.

He said men must work hard to amass their own wealth instead of depending on inheritance from their parents.

“Unataka kula ya nani kama hutaki kutafuta yako?” posed Mzee Kibor, who recently sued his sons for demanding a portion of his land.

He explained that he changed his mind from bequeathing land to his sons after one of them who was earning over Sh4 million a year from maize farming died from alcohol-related complications.

In December 2018, an Eldoret court allowed Mr. Kibor to divorce his wife of 43 years. In her ruling, Eldoret Principal Magistrate Naomy Wairimu indicated the couple’s marriage “is irretrievable”.

He had accused his wife, Naomi Jeptoo of abandoning their matrimonial home together with their six children.

Kibor’s advice to young couples was not to stay in abusive marriages and divorce if things fail to work out.

“Many people stay in abusive marriages for long only for them to resort to killing each other when the situation gets out of hand,” said Kibor.

His conclusion was: “Don’t grab from anybody. You will enjoy what you generated through honest means of happiness. I can account for all the millions I have at my age.” 

“I call on the youth not to give up. Just continue working hard. Don’t surrender working hard and God will open the way,” he added.

The forum held at Noble Hotel was moderated by former Elgeyo-Marakwet County Assembly Speaker Albert Kochei, who said the meeting was aimed at empowering men who are “grappling with an identity crisis”.

Each participant paid a fee of Sh2,000 to attend the event dubbed “1st Eldoret City Men Congress.”