Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has challenged the young generation of men to make public if they have multiple wives, as the departed patriarch, Mzee Isaac Ngugi Ichung’wah, did.

Speaking during the burial of the deceased man on Monday, September 15, 2025, Kindiki stressed that people need to emulate Mzee Ngugi by not keeping their relationships secret.

“I heard that Mzee had three wives, and he never hid anyone. He made it public, and everyone knew them.

Watch: Kindiki challenges polygamous men to stop hiding their wives

“You know we have these young generations who have multiple wives, but are engaging in mischief. They are hiding in church and everywhere without disclosing. So the fathers of the land are teaching us to be honest and upright in our lives,” he stated.

“The legacy of Mzee is that we must be open and honest and that we must work hard and struggle to feed our families without being ashamed of our past,” he stated.

 His message was also mirrored by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who challenged Kenyans to draw the virtue of patriotism and unity from the life of the fallen patriarch.

Speaking at the function, Wetang’ula lauded Ichung’wah for picking vital virtues from his dad.

“As we send off Mzee today, our great lesson today is to be patriotic and embrace everybody, see everybody as a brother and as a sister. Don’t be quick to see specks in others’ eyes when you have logs in your own,” he stated.

Ruto and Rachel awkward moment

President William Ruto also spoke on the subject of polygamy and ex-wives, which momentarily dominated the speeches during the burial ceremony.

Ruto said he noticed Rachel’s eyes on him when MPs were making comments about their past relationships. Trying to avoid trouble, the president explained that he kept his gaze straight ahead and chose not to react.

Unajua wakati maneno imesemekana hapa… wakati maneno imesemekana ya ex, nikaona hawa wadosi hapa wanaongea ongea. Wakakua na consultation kubwa hapa.” (“You know when matters of ex-girlfriends were mentioned here, I saw these big men having a serious consultation amongst themselves.”)

The president explained how Rachel gave him a sharp look. “Na mimi nikaona Rachel anajaribu kunitazama, mimi nikakaza macho tu nikaangalia mbele, halafu ni kama alikua ananiuliza hata wewe uko na hii maneno?” (“And I saw Rachel trying to look at me, but I kept my eyes fixed forward. It was as if she was silently asking me, are you also involved in such matters?”)