Factors That Sustain the Institution of Polygyny and Their Effects on Family Well-being Among the Wanga People of Western Kenya.

Abstract

Polygyny is the practice of a man having more than one wife. A related concept polygamy also refers to the state of a man having more than one wife or female mate at a particular time. Polygynous families usually operate like an organization. There are different roles according to certain hierarchical levels. The aim of the study was to find out Factors that sustain the institution of polygyny and their effect on family well-being among the Wanga people of Western Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: To find out the characteristics of polygynous families among the Wanga people of Western Kenya, to find out the role of assets in influencing the well-being of polygynous families, to assess the well-being of polygynous families, to examine the livelihood activities and their well-being of polygynous families and to assess the perceptions of polygynous family heads on polygynous marriages. This study employed a descriptive research design which is characterized by systematic collection of data from members of a given population through interview schedule guides. The study was carried out in Kakamega County of Western Kenya. The study was confined to Mumias East sub-county, East Wanga ward, Mung’ang’a and Eluche sub-wards which were purposively sampled. Within the two wards, 80 respondents from polygynous families were sampled through snow-ball sampling technique. Data collection was done using interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data was organized in frequencies and percentages and presented using tables which was analyzed qualitatively using SPSS. The findings of the study showed the majority (40%) of men in the area had married two wives and the Islam religion was widespread with 66.3% of family heads being Muslims. Resource ownership in the families was in form of livelihood activities, crop farming and livestock keeping with backed-up business opportunities. On the well-being of polygynous family, well-being of family and schooling of children were the most important. The study recommends that women in polygynous marriages to be educated on the importance of family planning, that the Ministry of Agriculture needs to organize educational sessions to help the families obtain surplus food from their farms and the need for good savings and credit initiatives to enhance business among the polygynous family heads in the study area by involving financial institutions.