"Those opposed to polygamy are hypocrites."
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Gathoni Wamuchomba's call for rich men to get more wives gets endorsement from Kikuyu elders (Courtesy)
At a special delegates seminar in Naivasha, more than 200 delegates endorsed the message saying that it was "a step in the right direction."
A statement was read on their behalf by association’s Secretary-General Joseph King’ori according to The Nation.
“We are fully behind the call for polygamy but only for those able to support such families. It is optional,” he said.
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Kikuyu elders (Courtesy)
The controversial call for polygamy raised hackles on social media after Gathoni said that it would be the solution for alcoholism and it would solve the homeless children crisis.
ALSO READ: Why this Jubilee Woman rep want Kikuyu men to marry several wives
“We need to be honest, these children who are raised by single mothers, where are there fathers? And why do we want to pretend that this is not a problem. For me, as much as we are talking about our church and our culture, we need to go back to the drawing board to discuss this issue and come up with a solution,” said Ms Wamuchomba.
Members accused those opposed to polygamy of hypocrisy.
The association’s chairman, Mr Kigochi Waimiri, wants those in illicit relationships to legalise them as the relationships are only brought to light "when one party dies, leading to protracted legal battles."
ALSO READ: Kenyans fiercely react to Kiambu Women representative’s sentiments on polygamy
The daily further added that Mr Waimiri explained the association would be restructured, with national office bearers being referred to as athuri a mathati (senior elders) instead of athamaki (kings) “to reflect the reality on the ground".
But Kenyans have criticised the move with some of them stating that they wished Kikuyu elders were "more vocal about youth alcoholism, teenage pregnancies and unemployment as they are with polygamy."
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Kenyan shares sentiments on Kikuyu elder's endorsement of Wamuchomba's call for polygamy (Twitter)
