Veteran actress Nyaboke Moraa has sparked honest conversation after bluntly stating that women often pretend to enjoy being single, yet deep down acknowledge that life without men is not as easy as it is sometimes portrayed. In her candid words, she suggests that women “kujifanya” — putting on a brave face — while carrying responsibilities that feel heavy, likening them to wearing men’s oversized shoes.
Nyaboke’s statement cuts through the growing narrative that singlehood is always glamorous and effortless. While independence is empowering and necessary, she argues that it often comes with unspoken struggles. Many women, especially single mothers, shoulder emotional, financial, and social burdens alone, even as society expects them to appear strong and unbothered.
Her metaphor of “viatu za wanaume ni kubwa” paints a powerful picture. It suggests that certain roles women are forced to take up — traditionally shared or handled by men — are demanding and exhausting. Yet, instead of openly admitting the difficulty, many women choose to normalize the struggle, convincing themselves and others that everything is fine.
Nyaboke also emphasizes that men matter — “hizi gaidi ni za maana.” This is not a dismissal of women’s strength, but rather a call for honesty. She challenges the idea that acknowledging the importance of men diminishes women’s independence. Instead, she encourages balance and truth, urging women to stop lying to themselves and pretending that companionship, support, and partnership are irrelevant.
Her remarks resonated with many because they reflect real-life experiences rarely spoken about openly. In a world driven by social media perfection and motivational slogans, Nyaboke reminds society that vulnerability is not weakness, and honesty is not failure.
Ultimately, her message is not anti-independence, but pro-truth. Women can be strong, capable, and self-sufficient — while still admitting that life is easier, richer, and more balanced when responsibilities and burdens are shared.
