Bien with wife Chiki Kuruka.Musician and songwriter Bien-Aimé Baraza has ruled out embracing polygamy, stating that his marriage to Chiki Kuruka is the most rewarding experience of his life.
Speaking on Power 105.1's Breakfast Club during his US tour, Bien said whereas polygamy is culturally allowed and permitted by the Kenyan constitution, Chiki deserves the whole of him.
"Constitutionally in Kenya, you are allowed. Do I want another wife? No, I don't," he said, even as he revealed he comes from a polygamous family.
"My dad has 10 kids from six different women. I'm the last of 10," he said, emphasising that polygamy in the African setting served a specific purpose back then.
"It may not work now but back then it had everything to do with community and looking out for one another. In some cases, a guy was polygamous maybe because his first wife couldn't get kids."
He added that considering Africans were traditionally farmer-gatherers, the more children one had meant more hands to provide labour.
Sauti Sol officially announced they were going their separate ways on May 20, 2023, in an official press release.
Bien branched out as a solo artiste after being in the Afro-pop music band for nearly two decades.
However, the group has occasionally reunited for concerts, like the Sol Fest, which took place on December 19 and 21, 2024.
Bien highlighted that Chiki has played a pivotal role in his life since he went solo.
He revealed that they have been together for the last 11 years, the last two of which Chiki has been his manager.
"When I went solo, I was like 'I think you need to manage me, she was like okay''. We are doing it for the home and it's beautiful; it's by far the most rewarding experience of my life."
"Do you pay her?" He was asked. "In other ways," Bien responded, sparking laughter in the room.
Reading the apparent misinterpretation of his response, Bien explained that in his household, the money belongs to the family such that she has access to all his and vice versa.
"We work to build a future for us and our children," he said.
Bien won the "Best Artist in Eastern Africa" award at the Trace Awards 2025.
He has several solo tracks and albums to his name, notable album being Aluta Continua, which features songs like My Baby and Inauma.
His EP Bald Men Love Better includes tracks like Bald Men Anthem, Stamina, and Coming Home.
Bien also has collaborations with other artists such as My Baby featuring Nigerian singing sensation Ayra Starr and, Nairobi with Tanzania's Marioo and Ma Cherie (Remix) featuring Congolese Fally Ipupa.
Although Bien is currently riding high with a new collabo titled Mpishi in which he flows in his characteristic style, he revealed during the interview that Ma Cherie was his favourite track.\
Bien's USA Tour 2025 began on May 14, 2025, and concluded on May 26, 2025, spanning 13 days.
He performed in various cities including Washington, DC, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Dallas and Seattle.
