Millennials, Can we agree that Charlene is an outlier and Isaya few of us?

 

Isaya and Charlene on their Wedding in Mwanza, Tanzania, 06/11/2026. Pic source: Charlene Facebook page. 

We, the East African millennials, are scorners. We scorn at near everything and unluckily, we scorn at the sacred value and virtue – love. Those who have evaded scorning reading as a culture have read of the results of scorned love. To scorn love is Hubris. And the new love birds in Africa have been careful to stop hubris. 

Love’s power over Charlene was seen when she went public during a crusade that hers is a wish for a husband. I must have seen it as a mock. That perhaps she was joking. For who nowadays takes the desire for a soul partner seriously? Life is too busy and difficult already – how then to nurture a sting of love? Time passed by and in public she was trolled that her 33 years age was time-bad. 

The mistake we mid and late Millenials have made, I read now, is the illusion that we are owners of love and can dictate whether to love or not and even play with the feelings of those who love us. Greeks knew love in form of a god Aphrodite. To scorn at love was as if saying to the god, “you have no power over me.” 

Charlene and Isaya have not yet spoken words of pride in the several videos I have watched. I can feel that behind their words are many prayers to the god of love. Isaya’s upbringing is difficult to imagine. His story is a testimony to read. Rough did Charlene go about, with unkempt hair despite being the daughter of a sitting President! Was it in denial of self? For if Isaya was self-centered, he would have suffered the fate of Narcissus who scorned lady Echo. He would fall in love with his face in a pool of water and waste away into a flower that bends to water. 

Charlene, on her own, would suffer the fate of Echo. Echo distracted Hera with talk as her husband Zeus cheated. Denying Isaya would mean denying self for Charlene now melts before the man, her knees quick to bend in Mwanza’a Sukuma traditions in show of respects. 

On love, we should learn from the ancient Greeks my fellow Millennials. I will not mention that some of us are suffering the fate of Hippolytus who was dragged on rocks by horses for refusing to love Aphrodite. Words said by Hippolytus are common in the social circles today, unageing, “Love is dirty, Marriage is a trap.” Hippolytus had only devoted his love to Artemis, the god of hunting and virginity (no responsibility). 

Come those who follow that which they will never catch. A learned woman, a home-organizer, present, beautiful, name them. Or men who can provide, who drive, who have a name. Did Apollo of love-struck catch Daphne who was shot with a hatred to love arrow? 

As President Ruto crossed the border and handed over his daughter in Mwanza at the grand wedding, it speaks to us Millenials. Will we share in the joy of handing over our children to marriage? Statistically we are burnt out, spoilt by social media and its scorns, god Aphrodite is all-time angered. Those who shut up to the noise will be the remnants, to carry the timeless love torch to the next generation. 

I feel deeply moved by the two’s love and I share in their happiness as I reflect in my approach to love. Isaya is 36, my age-mate. May his marriage inspire the seeker Milllenials and GenZs who are ripe to start engaging with the god of Love. For love conquers all.