The Men’s Conference is widely regarded as an imaginary gathering of men held simultaneously with the Valentine’s Day on every 14th of February.
Organizers have always been keen to make it coincide with Valentines and men mobilize each other to attend, get busy and avoid gifting their partners on this day.
The debate around the conference is usually prominent within Kenyan spaces especially in February, and it can at times sound like a very serious occasion to foreigners.
But lately, some men have made it a tradition to converge and discuss issues related to family and relationships, among others.
In these meeting, men are usually taught how to avoid doing everything that women want in a relationship or marriage.
The men are taught not to be desperate for women’s attention and affection and avoiding “spoiling” them.
Self-proclaimed polygamous men have in the past been selected to chair the meetings including late businessman Jackson Kibor and current ‘Chairman’ Stephen Letoo.
The Citizen TV reporter already directed women to allow their spouses attend the 2024 Men’s Conference meeting.
Letoo, in a video staged as a press briefing, directed women to pack their husband’s bags in readiness for the days they would spend in the conference.
Men’s Conference Program
In what is becoming a norm now, the Conference is already trending on social media and the event’s program for the day is already out.
Delegates attending the meeting, according to Letoo, will arrive on Wednesday, February 13 between 10:00am and 10:30 am when the orientation will begin.
During the orientation, men will show the boys kitchen, bathroom, gym room and other areas.
From 11:00am, the men will be watching Christ’s 12 Disciples film for one hour, take a 30-minute break and then break for lunch where meals will be served.
Some of the meals lined up during the Conference include ugali, Githeri, Nyama Choma, Mgombero (traditional herb) and Cabbage.
However, the organizers banned foods like chapati, chips and spaghetti in the event’s menu.
The President of the Conference will arrive at 5pm, and later have supper with the delegates at 7pm.
Between 8:30pm and 11pm the men will watch movies inspired by figures including of those of the Biblical Jezebel, Delilah, and Samson and Pharaoh.
Afterwards, the men will be allowed to sleep or use free WiFi.
Also Read: Meaningful Ways to Spread Valentines Love
Valentine’s Day
On the de-day (Valentine’s), all the phones at the Conference will be switched off at exactly 8:00am
This will be followed by a ten-minute introduction session and a mentoring lesson from 8:30am to 10am.
Musician Diamond Platnumz, Prezzo and Sautisol will then entertain the guest for two hours.
The imaginary organizers also mentioned that Comedian Eric Omondi and musician Bahati were not welcomed for the Conference without giving reasons.
There will be a performance by acrobatics from noon to 1pm followed by a one-hour lunch break.
Also Read: Challenging Gender Norms and Expectations on Valentine’s Day
The Conference will resume at 2pm with the chewing Mgombero competition.
The phones will be switched on at 6:30pm after a ‘compulsory HIV testing’.
Attendants will then proceed to their homes from 7pm carrying newspapers and bottled water.
Venues
Letoo published the Conference venues in different counties in the country.
Men Nairobi in Nairobi will meet at Uhuru Park, those in Nyanza will converge at Maseno while those at the Coast will meet at Malindi Social Hall (Kilifi) and Hola Centre in Tana River County.
In Rift Valley region, the Conference will be held at Kitale Mega Centre (Trans Nzoia), Kajiado and Egerton.
The Conference will also take place in Lodwar Town, Meru, Malaba in Busia, Kisii and Moyale Border.
Letoo said the theme of the Conference will be “Men and Safety”.
