The Gikuyu Cultural Association has endorsed Kiambu Women Reps call for wealthy men to take up more wives.

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.

Gathoni Wamuchomba

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.

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“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.

Hypocrisy

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."