In the traditional African setup, wealth and success are always measured by the number of wives and children one has. The bigger the family, the more successful one is considered.
In Kenya for instance, several prominent people have married more than wife. In this article, we outline renowned personalities who are polygamous
Boni Khalwale
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale on 7 February 2024 held a presser where he introduced his entire family, following questions about the paternity of his children.
According to Khalwale, he has four wives and 17 children. His first wife Adelaide Khalwale is the mother of his first three children. However, she passed away in 2019.
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His second wife is Josephine Khalwale, who also has three children. The third wife is Gloria Khalwale and together they have been blessed with eight children.
The last wife is Diana Khalwale and she also has three children.
Francis Atwoli
The COTU boss has three wives. His first wife is Jennifer Khainz, who rarely makes public appearances. Very little is known about her.
Atwoli's second wife is Roselinda Simiyu. The latter made headlines in 2022 when she expressed interest in a political seat under the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The decision to contest for an apolitical seat did not augur well with Atwoli who decided to disown her.
Atwoli's third wife is Mary Kilobi. the two got married in June 2018. Explaining why he married Kilobi who's half his age, Atwoli noted that he needed someone to take care of his health and wealth.
Wycliffe Oparanya
The former Kakamega Governor has two wives namely; Priscilla and Caroline Oparanya.
The family is unique in the sense that the two wives have always made public appearances together, showcasing a united family.
File image of former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his wives; Priscilla and Caroline. [Photo: Courtesy]
In August 2023, Oparanya and his wives were questioned by EACC over claims of embezzling Sh1.3 billion during his tenure as Kakamega County boss.
Oscar Sudi
The Kapsaret lawmaker never shies away from declaring that he is polygamous. Sudi is married to Lilian Sudi as his first wife and Ann Sudi as his second. He always introduces the two during public functions.
Raphael Wanjala
The Budalangi Member of Parliament is married to two wives; Josephine and Veronica Wanjala.
The legislator is on record defending polygamy and even called out the National Assembly for only recognising one wife in its medical scheme.
“What will some of us with more than one wife do? It is unfair of Parliament to cater for one spouse in the medical insurance for MPs. It should have remained as it was in the past when we were allowed to give the details of two wives and five children,” he posed.
Using Biblical reference, Wanjala noted that: "And that is why God never had a friend who was monogamous. All of God’s friends were polygamous. Moses, the only man who ever saw God, was polygamous. He married two assistants. Abraham married three."
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