Kenyans’ love for multiple partners rises, says survey

One in four adults are engaged in relationships with more than one partner.

In a survey released on Wednesday by research firm Consumer Insight, at least 24 per cent of those in relationships admitted to dating multiple lovers.

Although the report did not specify the gender most likely to engage in multiple dating arrangements, at least 1.2 million adult individuals out of the 24 per cent engaged in relationships have been projected as dating several partners.

With 10.8 million Kenyans representing 24 per cent of the population estimated as adults in a country with a population of about 45 million, the latest findings show an increase from previous results, Associate Research Director at Consumer Insights, Ms Ruth Ruigu, said.

POLYGAMY
The shocking findings in what is deemed a conservative nation whose values are mostly pegged on religious principles seem to vindicate Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni wa Muchomba’s proposal for Kenyans to adopt polygamy to eliminate problems of children raised without fathers.

In an interview that has elicited sharp reactions, the legislator touted polygamy as a solution to reduce the number of single mothers and children growing without fathers.

“Some of us were raised by fathers in polygamous families who did a good job and we grew up into responsible adults.

"What could be the crime in allowing polygamy as a solution to the problem of the many abandoned street children and even troubled individuals in families growing up without fathers?” she posed.

INFIDELITY
Ms Wa Muchomba suggested that polygamy could cure infidelity, noting it would eliminate the need for a married man with several partners to engage in a game of "hide and seek" in an effort to hide his extramarital affairs.

In the survey, 24 per cent of respondents interviewed admitted having more than one sexual partner, a marked increase from previous trends, while 55 per cent had their sexual debut before the age of 20.

“A whopping 77 per cent are sexually active, and it is worth noting that the youth and the upper classes are the most sexually adventurous category of Kenyans,” Ms Ruigu said at a press briefing in Nairobi.

The report further found that more Kenyans are now actively searching for love online.

The digital lovers’ search for partners ranges from conventional dating sites to web applications that provide for casual relationships, also known as “speed dating” sites.