Kamba women are best known for their beauty and charming nature. But like any other community in Kenya, there are negative stereotypes associated with Kambas such as witch craft and their women using love potions to make men love them.
What people don't know however, is that women from the Kamba community make some of the very best wife materials in Kenya. I talked to three friends who strongly believe that Kamba women are the best and plan on marrying Kamba girls despite being from different ethnic groups.
Here are some of the reasons that make Kamba women standout from other Kenyan women:
1. Hardworking
Most places in Ukambani region are dry and people from the regions have to go outside the box to think of other sources of livelihoods besides agriculture, Peter Mwangi tells me that these women have undergone hardships and because they yearn for better lives, they tend to be very hardworking.
2. They value education
Women from Ukambani tend to take studies very seriously. They want to improve the living standards in their counties and thus work hard in school. Juma Ndege, one of my classmates in college reminds me of how our college had many Kamba students, "Do you remember how many Kambas were in our class? And in every other association and club, you would find Kambas in plenty".
That due to seriousness in classwork, Juma told me that Kamba women tend to be educated and end up being very successful people in their lives.
3. Religious
Who again said Kamba's use witch craft? As James Munene tells me, it's never witchcraft but prayers. "In my church back in college, Kambas were very active in the church. Most church leaders were from the Kamba community and no one comes between them and their religion. My roommate and his girlfriend were very pious Catholic followers and they never forgot to recite the rosary every morning and evening" recalls Munene.
4. Peacemakers
Kamba women love peace and you will hardly see them pick fights with other women. They love unity and whenever they are together, you will hear them laughing and chatting in their language. Juma reminded me of how peaceful Ukambani region has always been even during the post-election violence. Unlike other women, therefore, who are always looking for reasons to quarrel with their husbands and neighbors, Kamba women only seek to make peace with everyone.