After a picture of Kasipul MP Boyd Were standing at Parliament with two ladies referred to as his “mothers” in the caption surfaced, Kenyans went crazy on social media.
Just a staged family photo taken prior to his swearing-in, the image immediately generated heated online discussion.
The plural phrase baffled many Kenyans, who kept asking, “Mama yake ni nani hapo?” and wanted clarification. Several responses insisted that a person “cannot have more than one mother,” while others contended that the women must be his stepmothers. Whether Boyd’s late father, Charles Ong’ondo Were, had two wives was another question that came up.
Another group took over and clarified the cultural background of the caption. They pointed out that the term “mothers” refers to both a biological mother and a stepmother in many Kenyan communities, particularly those where polygamy is practiced.
The family arrangement was neither unique nor unusual, according to several users, who cited comparable circumstances in other political families.
Discussions about unity and polygamous homes also become more prevalent in the comments. Many Kenyans commended the women for their unity, pointing out that it is difficult to find harmony in these kinds of households.
Others praised them for standing with Boyd, highlighting the fact that parenthood transcends biological relationships.
As anticipated on Kenyan social media, humour was incorporated into the conversation. Some commenters teased that Boyd’s future spouse would need to comprehend the dynamics of a huge extended family, while others made jokes about politicians who might have expressed interest in one of the widows.
Many people congratulated the MP on the milestone despite the misunderstanding and jokes. Supporters praised the women for their support in the straightforward, staged snapshot that unpredictably sparked a national conversation and celebrated his success.
