This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
Published on August 5, 2019, a Nairobi MCA's claim to be the secret wife of the late Kibra MP Ken Okoth sparked a debate on polygamy.
Biologists argue that men are polygamous by nature, citing their ability to sire children for over seven decades, while women's reproductive years are limited to about 15 years.
According to Eric Oduor, a biologist, men are able to sire children for over seven decades, whereas women are advised not to conceive after their mid-30s due to lifestyle diseases, career advancement, and work-related stress.
Oduor argues that women have about 15 years of reproductive health, translating to about five children, while men have more than twice the number of reproductive years.
He questions why nature would equip men with more reproductive years if the intention were for men to stay with one woman for their entire lives.
Leon Mburu, a zoology student, adds that there is nothing natural about monogamy, citing the animal kingdom where few species are monogamous.
Monogamy is practiced for various reasons, including the need for a couple to pool their resources to support their offspring and the perpetuation of their offspring in a more secure world.
Religion has also played a role in promoting monogamy, with some people believing that being able to commit to one woman for their entire married life is a sign of maturity and sense of responsibility.
However, others argue that polygamy is a more natural and practical arrangement, especially in African cultures where men are expected to provide for multiple wives.
Some women even support polygamy as a way of reducing housework and chores in large homesteads.
One Ugandan man, Patrick Oburu, has 61 children and 12 wives, most of whom are sisters, and claims to be very happy living under the same roof with his wives.
