Why more Gen Zs are becoming open to polygamous marriages
By Valerian Khakayi, May 7, 2026For years, polygamous marriages were mostly associated with older generations, traditional African culture or wealthy older men.
However, today, a noticeable shift is happening among some Kenyan Gen Zs, with more young people openly discussing and embracing polygamous relationships online.
From TikTok videos to viral relationship content, some young Kenyans are no longer hiding these arrangements. Instead, they are proudly showing how their polygamous setups work, attracting both criticism and admiration on social media.
On TikTok especially, videos featuring one man with multiple girlfriends or wives sharing a home, dancing together or creating content as a family continue to trend.
Some women openly refer to themselves as co-wives and share how they manage jealousy, responsibilities and communication within the relationship.
For many older Kenyans, the trend feels unusual and controversial. However, for some Gen Zs, the idea is becoming less taboo and more of a personal choice.
Kenyan musician Miss P, in an interview on Thursday, April 9, 2026, opened up about her views on relationships, sharing her thoughts on honesty, polygamy, and managing co-wives in modern partnerships.
She revealed that she accepts men’s polygamous tendencies and does not mind the presence of co-wives, as long as honesty and transparency are maintained.
“Me, I don’t mind having co-wives, so we will divide that number. If I’m with a man, and he comes and shows an interest in pursuing a romantic relationship with another woman but still wants to keep me, I’m okay with that,” Miss P said.
Changing the norm
Part of the shift is being driven by changing attitudes towards relationships and marriage.
Many young people today openly admit they no longer view marriage in the same way previous generations did. Stories of cheating, failed marriages, and toxic relationships shared daily online have made some question whether strict monogamy is realistic anymore.
Some Gen Zs argue that if people are already cheating secretly in relationships, then openly agreeing to a polygamous arrangement feels more honest and transparent.
Social media has also exposed young Kenyans to relationship cultures from different parts of the world. Through TikTok, podcasts and YouTube discussions, many have become familiar with concepts such as polyamory, open relationships and modern polygamy.
As a result, some now see polygamy not only as a traditional or religious practice but also as a lifestyle based on mutual agreement.
Economic pressure is another factor influencing the conversation. Some young people say modern dating has become emotionally draining and financially demanding, making unconventional setups appear more manageable.
The hidden side of polygamy
However, critics argue that many social media creators glamorise polygamous relationships without showing the emotional challenges that come with them. Issues such as jealousy, competition and lack of stability are rarely discussed openly online.
Still, the openness surrounding the topic continues to grow.
Unlike previous generations, where such relationships were often kept private, some Gen Zs are now documenting everything publicly, from couple photoshoots and matching outfits to livestreams discussing how their relationships function.
Whether the trend becomes fully accepted or remains largely a social media phenomenon, it reflects how rapidly relationship norms are changing among young Kenyans.
For many Gen Zs, love and commitment are no longer defined by traditional rules alone.