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Raphael Tuju recounts how church banished family member for practising polygamy
27th September, 2026 12:17 PM
Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has recounted how his grandfather was chased out of the Anglican Church after marrying a second wife, explaining that the marriage led to the birth of his father.
Tuju was speaking on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at a church in Bondo, Siaya County, where he said his grandfather’s first wife did not have a child. This prompted him to marry another woman who later gave birth to Tuju’s father.
He explained that without the second marriage, he would not have been born.
The former Cabinet Secretary said the family experienced difficulties with the Anglican Church because his grandfather decided to practise polygamy. He recalled how the church responded to the marriage and its impact on his family.
“And I can tell you as a Tuju family we had a lot of problems with the Anglican church because my grandfather, when he had a second wife, he was chased out of the church,” Tuju said.
Grandfather’s second marriage
Tuju explained that his grandfather’s first wife did not have a child, leading him to marry a second wife. He said the second marriage resulted in the birth of his father, making it an important part of his family’s history.
“But his first wife didn’t have a child, so he married a second wife therefore who gave birth to my father, and I am here,” Tuju said.
He said the circumstances surrounding his birth had shaped how he viewed the issue of polygamy. Tuju explained that his existence was directly linked to his grandfather’s decision to marry a second wife.
“If we didn’t have polygamy, I would not be there. So, for that reason, I won’t go there,” Tuju said.
Tuju thanks bishop for support
Despite recalling the family’s difficulties with the Anglican Church, Tuju expressed gratitude to a bishop for standing by him during difficult moments. He said the bishop had supported him through prayer, including during his hospital stay.
Tuju thanked the bishop for remaining present during his struggles, saying the support had continued through difficult times. He acknowledged the prayers offered to him while he was in hospital.
“But I want to thank you, Bishop, because you have been there to pray for me, in bed in hospital, through thick and thin,” Tuju said.
His account linked his family’s experience with the Anglican Church to his grandfather’s second marriage and the birth of his father.
