Musician Bien-Aimé Baraza has dismissed the idea of polygamy, describing his marriage to Chiki Kuruka as the most fulfilling experience of his life.
Speaking on Power 105.1’s Breakfast Club during his U.S. tour, Bien acknowledged that while polygamy is legally and culturally accepted in Kenya, he has no desire for a second wife.
“Constitutionally in Kenya, you are allowed. Do I want another wife? No, I don’t,” he said, adding that Chiki deserves all of him.
The former Sauti Sol vocalist, who hails from a polygamous family, revealed: “My dad has 10 kids from six different women. I’m the last of 10.” He noted that polygamy historically served communal and practical purposes, such as increasing labour for farming households or in cases where the first wife couldn’t conceive.
Bien and Chiki have been together for 11 years, with the last two marking a new chapter as she became his manager following his solo transition after Sauti Sol’s split in May 2023.
“When I went solo, I was like ‘I think you need to manage me.’ She was like okay. We’re doing it for the home, and it’s beautiful; it’s by far the most rewarding experience of my life,” he said.
When asked if he pays her, Bien joked, “In other ways,” prompting laughter before clarifying that they share everything financially. “The money belongs to the home—we work to build a future for us and our children.”
Currently on a high in his solo career, Bien recently won Best Artist in Eastern Africa at the 2025 Trace Awards. His solo catalogue includes the album Aluta Continua, featuring hits like My Baby and Inauma, and the EP Bald Men Love Better, with tracks such as Bald Men Anthem, Stamina, and Coming Home.
He has also collaborated with regional stars, including Ayra Starr (My Baby), Marioo (Nairobi), and Fally Ipupa (Ma Cherie Remix). Despite the popularity of his latest release Mpishi, Bien said Ma Cherie remains his personal favorite.
His 13-day U.S. tour, which ran from May 14 to 26, 2025, saw him perform in cities like Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Minneapolis, and Seattle.
