Entering a new relationship or strengthening an existing one is an exciting experience, and the ways we show and give love as a global society changes constantly. This reality is true within Kenya, too, especially due to changing social norms surrounding relationships and marriage.

Modern love in Kenya looks very different now than it used to; these relationships can be a chance to try new things, explore together, and settle down with someone you truly love.

To illustrate just how much relationships and love in Kenya have changed over time, it's helpful to take a look at the numbers. You might be surprised to find how diverse relationships can be in Kenya!

Facts and Figures: Relationships in Kenya

• Research suggests that "crushing on" someone, or experiencing temporary and intense feelings of attraction, usually lasts only up to four months. When feelings linger past this point, it's likely they're evolving into love.
• Individuals within Kenya tend to gravitate toward partners who share similar backgrounds (social, ethnic, educational, financial, etc.) and characteristics. Unlike the reality created by arranged marriages of the past, many young Kenyans seeking serious relationships value individuals who they can relate to.
• The median age for women in Kenya entering their first marriage is now 19.7 years; in past decades, it was common for young women who had just finished puberty to marry older men.
• Likewise, the median age for men in Kenya entering their first marriage is now 25 years.

• Research shows that over half of Kenyan couples, at least as of 2014, reported regularly using contraceptives. Couples who reported that they openly communicated about family planning also had higher rates of contraception use.

Recent efforts to change outdated legislation suggest a shift toward a more equal balance of power between the sexes, especially when it comes to marriage and childbearing. For instance, The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011), The Marriage Act (2014), and the Law of Succession Act (2012), among others, all work to give women more rights and punish those who violate them.