Trans Nzoia Elder Petitions Court To Allow Men Who Married In Church Have Second Wives

• Businessman Boniface Ndura has filed a petition challenging Kenya’s bigamy law, seeking legal recognition of polygamy in Christian marriages
• Ndura argues that the current law unfairly restricts Christians, while other religious communities, like Muslims, are allowed to practice polygamy
• His petition claims the bigamy law violates constitutional rights to religious freedom and the right to marry based on personal beliefs
• Ndura advocates for polygamy, citing biblical figures and proposing it as a solution to rising single parenthood and divorce rates in Kenya

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kitale - A businessman and proponent of polygamy, Boniface Ndura, has filed a landmark petition with the court to challenge the current bigamy law in Kenya.

The law currently prohibits men in legally recognised monogamous marriages from marrying additional wives.

The petition, filed by his advocate, Dennis Wanyama, is scheduled for September 25 in Kitale and is expected to spark discussions on religious freedoms, constitutional rights, and the interpretation of marriage laws in the country.

Why is the law on bigamy oppressive?

Ndura, who is also the author of "Polygamists Will Also Go to Heaven," contends that the current legal framework, rooted in monogamous Christian marriages, violates the religious freedoms of those who interpret the Bible as supportive of polygamy.

"Key provisions in the Penal Code and the Marriage Act unfairly impose a restrictive model of marriage on Christians, while other religious communities, such as Muslims, are legally allowed to practice polygamy," he argued.

At the centre of Ndura’s petition is a challenge to Section 171 of the Penal Code and Sections 6, 8, 9, and 11 of the Marriage Act, which enshrines monogamy in Christian marriages.

According to Ndura, these provisions not only violate Article 32 of the Kenyan Constitution, which protects freedom of religion and belief, but they also infringe upon Article 45, which guarantees the right to marry and found a family based on personal convictions.

Why does Ndura advocate for polygamy?

Ndura points to biblical figures such as Abraham, Jacob, and King Solomon, who practised polygamy without divine condemnation, as evidence that polygamy has historical and theological roots in Christianity.

"The modern legal imposition of monogamy is a colonial relic that contradicts traditional Christian teachings," the environmental conservationist argues in his petition.

He asserts that banning polygamy contributes to rising rates of single parenthood and divorce in Kenya.

Ndura views polygamy as a solution to these social challenges, offering what he calls a “more stable family structure” in certain communities.

The businessman seeks to have these contested legal provisions declared unconstitutional, allowing Christians who support polygamy to marry more than one wife legally.

"This move would create legal parity between Christian and Muslim communities, where polygamy is already recognised," he says.

Letoo 100% polygamous and proud

In an earlier story, TV personality Stephen Letoo confirmed that he is a polygamous man, and he is proud of it.

The vocal journalist said he is unsure of the number of women he would marry as he is still adding more.

The media personality has been loud about his support for polygamy, saying that it is natural for men to have multiple wives and that women should accept it.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke