Where three isn’t a crowd…

• South African President Jacob Zuma can get away with marrying several women, but not upmarket middle-aged men in Nairobi. Just how to modern polygamists survive and thrive?

This, he says, has helped to avoid conflicts that would exist if all the wives lived under one roof. ”I need peace and harmony in my life and providing for each wife was the only way to ensure this.”

To him, polygamy has merits that have made his life “more fulfilling,(although) you need to work hard so that they do not miss the basic needs.” Jaramogi, however, observes a polygamous marriage works better in a rural area compared to towns due to cost of living.

According to his second wife, Apiyo, 32, polygamy is a good thing as long as the husband is loving and provides equally for each one of his spouses. She however reveals that there exists competition among the wives to impress the husband.

“We try to outwit each other. If my co-wife has cooked a nice meal, I will make one that is twice as sumptuous.”

She describes Jaramogi as loving, caring, fair and a great leader.

“Not many people can have six wives and many children and be able to get the respect of all,” she says.