Kenyan comedian and media personality MC Jessy has sparked a conversation about relationships after urging women to focus on building themselves financially and personally before settling down with a man.
Speaking during a podcast shared on Sunday, October 4, 2026, MC Jessy argued that young people should establish themselves rather than make a relationship the foundation of their financial future.
He particularly cautioned women against the idea of “growing with a man”, arguing that a man could eventually advance and leave his partner behind.
“Ladies, stop this nonsense of growing with a man. Because if you grow with them, they’ll grow and leave you behind. And if you grow together, he’ll go find another lady to help her grow,” he said.
MC Jessy’s advice to young people
The comedian also extended his advice to young men, encouraging them to use their 20s to build investments, make money and organise their lives.
“In your 20s as a young man, have your own investment, make your money and ujipange kwanza,” he said.
His comments appeared to emphasise the importance of achieving personal financial stability before taking on the responsibilities that come with a serious relationship or marriage.
‘Let’s look at it economically’
MC Jessy, however, clarified that he does not consider combining finances within a relationship to be inherently wrong.
Using an example of a couple with separate incomes, he acknowledged that partners can pool their resources and build a life together.
“Let’s look at it economically. Eh, huyu jamaa ako na mshahara yake hapa. Wife maybe ako na mshahara yake mahali yako, sindio? Ndio mtataka mcombine mgrow pamoja. Ni sawa, si mbaya. Mi sijasema ni mbaya,” he said.
For the comedian, the issue is more about the path individuals choose to take and whether they can establish themselves independently before committing to building with a partner.
MC Jessy calls it the ‘harder’ route
MC Jessy described building together from an early stage as the more difficult option, suggesting that young people should consider establishing themselves first as an alternative.
“It’s just that it’s a route I don’t think I would want to encourage anybody to take. It’s the harder one. Why choose hard? Choose a softer hard,” he added.
His remarks have therefore opened up a broader debate about whether couples should build their careers and finances together from the beginning or first achieve a measure of individual stability.
While MC Jessy appeared to favour personal financial preparation, he acknowledged that couples can successfully combine their resources and grow together.