This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
Co-wives Sarafina Wairimu and Caroline Waithira, both married to the late musician John De Mathew, have shared their experiences and tips on how to successfully navigate a polygamous marriage.
According to the women, introducing their husbands' other wives to each other was a crucial step in building a harmonious relationship.
Caroline Waithira revealed that De Mathew gave her an ultimatum, telling her that if she refused to meet his first wife, Sarafina, she could not continue living with him.
De Mathew's first wife, Sarafina, also shared her side of the story, saying that their husband never favored their children and instead took them out together, promoting a sense of unity among the family.
Another key tip the co-wives shared was the importance of not bad-mouthing each other to their husband or their children. They emphasized the need to resolve conflicts and communicate effectively to avoid creating tension in the household.
Caroline Waithira also credited Sarafina with reaching out to her and starting a friendship, which eventually led to them taking their children out together and becoming close friends.
De Mathew's wives also stressed the importance of loving each other equally, as favoring one wife over the other can lead to disaster in a polygamous marriage.
Caroline Waithira shared an example of how their husband would give them both shopping money, which they would then exchange via M-Pesa, demonstrating his commitment to treating them equally.
