Rachel Mukemu from Makueni County has opened up about her unique family arrangement, revealing how she came to marry two husbands after her first husband fell seriously ill more than two decades ago.

According to Rachel, the unusual arrangement began in 2003 when her first husband, Muema, became gravely ill and feared that if he died, his wife and children could be left vulnerable.

To protect the family, Muema proposed inviting another man, Muia, who had reportedly admired Rachel for some time, to join the family.

The three held an open discussion and mutually agreed to enter into a polyandrous marriage, with Muia relocating to the family’s homestead.

At the time, Rachel already had seven children with Muema. She later had four more children with Muia, bringing the family’s total to eleven children.

Rachel says the two husbands have continued to live peacefully in the same compound, sharing family responsibilities and contributing equally to the welfare of their children.

She adds that she treats both husbands fairly and without favoritism, insisting that each plays an important role in the family’s wellbeing.

According to Rachel, neither of the two men has expressed a desire to leave the marriage. She says Muema is comfortable with the arrangement given his health condition, while Muia remains committed to the family and the four children they have together.

More than two decades after the arrangement began, the trio says they remain united and satisfied with their unconventional family setup, which they say was built on mutual understanding, honesty and shared responsibility.