- Polyamory relationships involve emotions, intimacy between the partners, and romance.
- In this case, the original couple lives together and in other instances have children together, but decide to 'explore' within the marriage.
The topic of Polyamory relationships has become a topic of discussion for those in marriage and the dating scene.
A polyamory relationship is a form of relationship that involves committed relationships between two or more people-typically romantic relationships.
Being in a polyamorous relationship means that you and your partner have the option of dating other people while still together.
When I meet Christabel Owino* at her shop in Nairobi CBD, she is busy engaging her customers and as soon as she is done, Owino grabs two chairs and she ushers me into her shop.
Ready to share her story about polyamory relationships, Owino terms it as something interesting.
She says when her husband brought up the topic of polyamory relationships in August 2022, she gave him a chance to express himself.
Owino says her husband had grown fond of a woman at his workplace.
"I understand that my husband is a real man and can develop feelings at any time, and he is free to like whoever," the saleslady says.
"Instead of cheating and doing things behind my back, he came to me and expressed how he'd like to introduce a girl to our relationship, and I gave him the go-ahead."
Owino says when she met the woman and saw how the husband likes her, she invited her to their bedroom, and as they say the rest is history.
"My husband has no intentions of marrying the lady, so they do their things and I also do mine as I invited my boyfriend in," she says.
"At the end of the day, my husband and I still love each other, we just want to explore other people."
Oscar Maina* who has been in a polyamorous relationship for a decade says it's the best decision he made in life.
"As we grow, we develop different feelings and discover we like different things in women, and once you are open about what you want, and very honest with the parties involved, your relationships will thrive," he says
However, Mercy Cherop*, another city businesswoman says she cannot agree to such an arrangement as she is naturally a jealous person.
"I cannot agree to such, it means that my husband is not fully satisfied with me and want more. If he ever brings such discussions, it will clear a path for divorce for sure," Cherop said.
Additionally, Cherop says such relationships are breeds for sexually transmitted diseases, and would bring more harm than good.
"Mimi sitaki magonjwa kwangu, kama ni hivyo, heri tuachane," she says.
Moses Wafula* strongly agrees with Cherop saying he cannot also agree to such an arrangement, saying he is a Christian who follows God's teachings.
"I am a born-again Christian, my values do not allow me to have such arrangements," Wafula says.
When one catches their partners cheating, in many instances, they have always blamed 'Nairobi' citing its culture.
When you hear someone say, 'Nairobi' they don't necessarily refer to the capital city, but the 'character development' they have received in the city.
Character development is normally attributed to relationship breakups, failed contract renewal in relationships, and no term is met.
With the new generation staying away from commitments, they now prefer polyamory relationships with little 'strings' attached but needs are met.
The youth prefer to have multiple relationships with multiple people, than settling down with one partner and building a relationship.
To be in such relationships, one does not consider it as infidelity as all parties involved are aware of each other - the relationship is disclosed to everyone involved, and on many occasions would meet for sexual pleasure.
Polyamory relationships involve emotions, intimacy between the partners, and romance.
In this case, the original couple lives together and in other instances have children together, but decide to 'explore' within the marriage.
In another situation, a polyamory relationship may involve parties who don't stay together, but are fully in agreement on a romantic relationship and are allowed to see other people, and may at any point introduce them to the other party - as there are no secrets involved in the arrangement.