The eulogy of Annah Chemutai from Amerika village, Kericho County, has stirred widespread discussion after it revealed a rare cultural practice. Chemutai, who passed away on April 19 at the age of 71, was said to have married another woman, Esther Chirchir, in 1976.
According to details shared on social media, Chemutai and Chirchir raised four children together — Samwel Chepkwony, Evaline Chebet, Geoffrey Chepkwony, and Mercy Chepkemoi — and had several grandchildren by the time of her death.
The announcement caught many by surprise, given the traditional African views on marriage. However, community members quickly pointed out that this union was rooted in cultural customs rather than romantic relationships.
In many Kenyan communities, particularly among the Kalenjin and Abasuba, it was acceptable for a woman who could not bear children or had been widowed to “marry” another woman. The purpose was to ensure the continuation of a family lineage.
In these arrangements, the married woman would have children with a chosen man, and the offspring would belong to the woman who initiated the marriage. Dowry was often paid, and traditional ceremonies, such as koito among the Kalenjin, were conducted to formalize the bond.
Elders explain that the practice was about preserving names, family honor, and property rights, especially where the lineage faced the threat of extinction. It was strictly functional and focused on family survival.
Chemutai was also remembered for her dedication to farming and her strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she was an active member until her passing.
By Kenyans