Polygamy has always been rife in Kenya, especially among the older generation. However, in the past it was only the first wife who was recognized by law. This was until 2014 when former President Uhuru Kenyatta passed the polygamy bill allowing men to legally marry more than one wife.
Below is a list of prominent Kenyans who have more than one wife as compiled by WoK:
Muigai wa Njoroge
The gospel artist is married to two wives Gladys Njeri and Queen Stacey. He first married Njeri and the two went on to have kids. Speaking in an interview with a vernacular radio station, Njeri said she was hurt when he married Queen Stacey and fell into depression and alcoholism. She even contemplated suicide.
However, she later accepted her situation. The artist had once expressed his wish to marry two wives but she hadn’t taken him seriously.
From the outside, the three seem to have settled into their roles and in the past valentines day Muigai appreciated both of his wives saying:
“Good morning my friends. Today being Valentine’s Day, I would like to celebrate my girls. These two decided to make me happy, to be patient with me, to support me and to fight for me. They chose us instead of being selfish, and bitter. Such people with such kind of hearts are few nowadays. May God help me to bring them honor and may they be blessed.”
Francis Atwoli
The long-time serving COTU secretary general is a popular figure in the political scene. He is known for among many other things making a number of controversial remarks and fearlessly defending his stands.
Francis Atwoli’s first wife is Jennifer Khainz, who is rarely spotted making headlines. The COTU SG has always had kind words for her first wife.
He separated from his second wife Roselinda Simiyu after more than two decades of marriage. It is reported that he had wooed her by lying he was a divorcee. Roselinda would later unsuccessfully vie for a political position.
His third wife is Mary Kilobi who was a renowned Kenya Television Network journalist.
Wycliffe Oparanya
The former Kakamega governor is married to two wives, Priscilla and Caroline Oparanya. Theirs has always been praised by a section of Kenyans as a harmonious union. He was arrested alongside his two wives in 2023 and grilled by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over graft allegations.
Boni Khalwale
Known as the king of bullfighting, the politician is married to three wives whom he believes are god sent. On mother’s day, he celebrated the three women on social media.
“Happy #mothersday to, Josephine Umina Khalwale, Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale and Diana Moragwa Khalwale. Indeed you are God-sent to us,” he wrote.
Raphael Wanjala
The Budalangi member of parliament is married to two wives, Josephine and Veronica. He is known for his strong support of a polygamous marriage and at one point went ahead to cover his wives under the medical insurance. He said it was unfair for the scheme to cater for only one wife.
Hon. Oscar Sudi
The third-time Kapseret MP is married to two lovely wives, Anne and Lilian. The two seem to have a cordial relationship and during his third win as MP, the legislator said he had sent his wives to collect the election certificate from the IEBC’s constituency tallying centre in Eldoret.
Later, a photo of the two smiling women holding the certificate was posted on social media.
