The morning airwaves in Kenya recently heated up as Classic 105 FM presenter Maina Kageni shared his unfiltered views on polygamous marriages.
During a lively morning conversation with his co-host, Mwalimu King’ang’i, Kageni argued that financial security is the primary reason young women stay in such unions.
Kageni’s comments were sparked by a public introduction of children by Senator Richard Onyonka which reportedly took five minutes to complete. The presenter questioned whether the women in these large family setups are truly content or simply following the money.
The "ATM Card" Factor
Maina Kageni was blunt about what he believes keeps these relationships intact. He suggested that young, "voluptuous" women in their 20s and 30s are often attracted to the lifestyle provided by wealthy polygamous men. According to Kageni, the financial benefits create a situation where women feel they cannot voice their true feelings.
"I saw women who are given all the money they need andtherefore you do not argue with the owner of the ATM card,” he said.
He challenged the idea that a woman can be genuinely happy sharing her partner with several others. Kageni argued that the "catch" in these arrangements is almost always financial, stating that "nothing is too good to be true" without a hidden cost.
Questioning Fidelity and Happiness
The discussion took a controversial turn when Kageni touched on the personal lives of those in polygamous setups. He claimed that the freedom women gain when a husband rotates between multiple households can lead to complications.
Maina suggested that because a man might only visit a specific wife twice a week, he is not able to monitor the household closely. He went as far as to claim that in some large polygamous families, not all children may belong to the patriarch.
"There’s no woman who can be happy sharing a man with another 5 women. There’s a freedom these women get because she’s not being monitored... I promise you there are children there who are not yours,” Maina said.
A House of 21 Children
The conversation drew responses from listeners, including one woman who shared her experience growing up in a polygamous home. She revealed that her father has three wives and a total of 21 children.
Contrary to Kageni’s skepticism, she described a functional family unit that uses a WhatsApp group to stay connected.
The caller argued that the success of such a family depends entirely on the man’s maturity and his ability to balance the needs of all household members. She noted that her father alternates visits every two days to ensure fairness.
Kageni remained unconvinced by stories of harmony. He concluded the segment by warning men that "all that glitters ain’t gold," maintaining that money remains the silent glue in these complex domestic arrangements.
