The traditional "syllabus" of life is changing quickly for young Kenyan women. In a recent vox pop conducted by journalist Moses Sagwe, several Gen Z ladies shared a clear preference for financial stability over romantic commitment.
This shift in priorities comes as the "manifestation" trend takes a sharp turn toward material wealth.
The Pritty Vishy Spark
The debate was reignited by content creator and social media personality Pritty Vishy. In a series of Instagram posts shared in May 2026, Vishy questioned why women were still using manifestation techniques to find a male partner.
She expressed disbelief that romantic goals were taking precedence over financial independence.
Vishy suggested that focusing on relationships in 2026 means falling behind the expected curve of personal progress. She urged her followers to focus on tangible assets instead.
"Imagine saying you manifested for a man in 2026? As how? No. What happened to you manifesting houses, cars and money?" — Pritty Vishy.
Wealth as a Shield
For many Gen Z women, the pursuit of wealth is not just about luxury, but about respect and security. Sharon, a young woman interviewed in the vox pop, stated that she would choose wealth first because she believes in a "50/50" marriage.
“Pritty Vishy has got some good point there. I’ll choose wealth first over a man because in marriage I believe in 50/50,” she said.
She noted that her generation has moved past the era of being traditional housewives. Sharon believes that having her own money ensures she receives more respect in a relationship.
“I feel like by having my own money, I get more respect. That’s why most Gen Zs joke that ‘ndoa haibambi’ – you’ve seen those trending memes.”
Valentine shared a similar sentiment, describing modern relationships as "shitty." She argued that building herself financially first provides a necessary "fallback plan" if a marriage fails.
“Nowadays relationships are very shitty. I want before entering a relationship, I build myself financially first so that if anything happens and the marriage ends, I will have a fallback plan,” she said.
She also noted that financial independence prevents a partner from behaving like a narcissist or treating a woman badly.
Avoiding Traditional Roles
Some women view wealth as a way to opt out of traditional expectations entirely. Angela suggested that chasing wealth is a subtle way of avoiding marriage. She claimed that many Gen Z ladies are avoiding "wife material" labels, noting that some men are intimidated by women who earn more than them.
Emily added that a husband is no longer a "must" in the modern world. She argued that with enough wealth, a woman can live comfortably on her own and do what she wants. This independence protects women from being disrespected by men who feel their wives bring nothing to the table.
“Wealth can do many things. A husband can come later because nowadays having a husband is not a must. With your wealth, you can live without a husband. You can do your own things.”
A Shifting Trend
The manifestation movement is a massive global phenomenon, with related content reaching billions of views on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While the trend has historically focused on finding "soulmates," influencers are increasingly encouraging followers to manifest career success and luxury lifestyles instead.
Despite this shift, experts note that "romantic manifestation" remains popular at the start of the year. Many women use January as a psychological fresh start to align their energy toward finding a life partner.
