In today’s Kenya—and indeed across the globe—masculinity has become a runaway train. Fueled by bravado, unchecked ego, and emotional detachment, it barrels through homes, schools, workplaces, and politics, leaving behind a trail of broken relationships, toxic leadership, and disillusioned youth. What we urgently need is not more masculinity, but more manhood.
The distinction is critical. Masculinity, in its hyper form, is performative. It thrives on dominance, suppresses vulnerability, and equates worth with control. It’s the kind of masculinity that turns boys into bullies, fathers into tyrants, and leaders into demagogues. It is the masculinity we see in union politics where chest-thumping overshadows substance, and in youth spaces where noise replaces nuance.
Manhood, by contrast, is principled. It is the quiet strength that protects, the emotional depth that nurtures, and the moral compass that leads. Manhood is not about how loudly one speaks, but how responsibly one acts. It is rooted in character, not costume.
The consequences of confusing the two are dire. Kenya’s rising cases of gender-based violence, youth delinquency, and mental health struggles among men are not isolated incidents—they are symptoms of a deeper identity crisis. Boys are taught to “man up” by shutting down their emotions. They are praised for aggression but punished for empathy. The result? A generation of emotionally stunted men, relationally adrift and spiritually hollow.
This crisis is not just personal—it is a political issue. Toxic masculinity fuels tribalism, authoritarianism, and corruption. It breeds leaders who mistake cruelty for charisma and policies that prioritise conquest over compassion. In our unions, we see candidates who campaign with swagger but offer no agenda. In our communities, we see young men drawn to performative power rather than principled service.
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We must urgently reclaim manhood—not as nostalgia, but as necessity. Manhood that mentors rather than mocks. That builds rather than breaks. That leads with humility, not hubris. This reclamation begins in our homes, classrooms, and pulpits. As a teacher, I see firsthand how boys are starved of models that affirm their full humanity. We must teach them that strength encompasses softness, that leadership requires listening, and that being a man is not about dominating others but about mastering oneself.
Our curriculum must reflect this shift. Competency-Based Education (CBE) offers a golden opportunity to integrate emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and community engagement into learning outcomes. Let us use it to raise men—not just males.
The media must also play its part. We need stories that celebrate fathers who are present, gentle brothers, and humble leaders. We need to decouple manhood from the toxic metrics of money, muscle, and machismo.
This is not a war on masculinity—it is a rescue mission. Masculinity, when grounded in values, can be a source of drive, protection, and purpose. But when untethered from moral clarity, it becomes dangerous. Manhood is that clarity. It is the compass that guides masculinity toward service, not self-glorification.
In a world gone mad with masculine excess, manhood is the antidote. It is what our boys need. It is what our politics need. It is what our future demands.
Let us raise men of substance. Let us teach manhood—not just masculinity. And let us do so urgently, before the costume consumes the character.
By Newton Maneno
Maneno is aTana River–based English and Literature Teacher
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